The Los Angeles Chargers are already searching for a new offensive coordinator.
But now they need to expand their search to find a new linebackers coach as well.
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NaVorro Bowman has stepped down from his role as Chargers LB coachCredit: Getty
This comes as NaVorro Bowman has stepped down from the role after two seasons, as announced by Chargers General Manager Joe Hortiz on Thursday.
According to ESPN’s Kris Rhim, Hortiz cited Bowman’s reasoning being that he wanted to spend more time with his family, and being involved in his son’s – a top-ranked high school basketball prospect – future.
Before entering coaching, Bowman was a standout linebacker for the Penn State Nittany Lions, where he was a First-Team All-Big Ten honoree.
In 33 collegiate outings for Penn State, he recorded 117 tackles, 36 tackles for loss, eight sacks and three interceptions, which saw him selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft.
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Bowman went on to have a seven-year career in the NFL – earning more than $44 million – spending all but 10 of his 99 games with the Niners, where he was named to the Pro Bowl three times, and was a four-time All-Pro.
He was part of the 49ers outfit which went to the 2012 Super Bowl under Jim Harbaugh, now the Chargers head coach.
He went on to finish his career with the Oakland Raiders before retiring in 2018 at the age of 29 due to injury, with over 800 tackles, 16.5 sacks and five interceptions in the regular and postseason combined to his name.
Five years on from his retirement, Bowman began his coaching career as a defensive analyst at the University of Maryland in 2023 before reuniting with Harbaugh at the Chargers.
With defensive coordinator Jesse Minter also high on the radar for one of the many head coaching vacancies around the league, the Chargers front office could be looking for yet more personnel in a huge shake-up of their organization.
Lived his own dream, now helping his son chase his
Whilst Bowman got to live out his dream of playing in the NFL – and coaching – his son’s career is only just beginning.
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Bowman received three of his four All-Pro selections with Jim Harbaugh as his coachCredit: Getty
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NaVorro Bowman Jr. (#5) is a rising basketball starCredit: Getty
According to 247sports.com, NaVorro Bowman Jr. is currently a junior at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California, where he is ranked as a four-star recruit combo guard in the Class of 2027.
The 6-foot-3, 175lb guard also currently ranks No. 42 on the ESPN’s 100 Rank after averaging 16.4 points per game – rising to 23 PPG in the state playoffs – alongside that of No. 1 recruit in the 2026 class, 6-foot-7 forward Tyran Stokes.
Bowman Jr. established himself as one of the nation’s most electric backcourt talents after he balled out for NBA star Russell Westbrook’s Team Why Not squad at the Nike EYBL (Elite Youth Basketball League) circuit last summer.
Back in December, with Bowman trying to attend as many of his son’s games as possible despite his hectic schedule with the Chargers, the elder Bowman spoke out about the extra attention and pressure that could be building on his son.
“I think If anything, I make him more nervous than anything that’s going on because of what we’ve held ourselves to,” Bowman said. “I was never a No. 1 anything. I was an underdog.
“So having that mentality of whether people are patting you on the back or not, I want you to always recognize your weaknesses and always try to get better and never get complacent.
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Bowman Sr. knows all about what it takes to make it to the top, and is dedicating his time now to helping his son achieve his dream of reaching the NBACredit: Getty
“A lot of people are going to tell you you’re good, but I’m your dad and I’m going to see something that I know we talked about, something that you should be doing.
“If I see a weakness, that’s what we’re going to get better at and focus on. And that’s why he’s able to play at the level he’s playing no matter who’s on the court.”
Bowman Jr. has since faced the likes of Bryce James – the youngest son of all-time great LeBron James – during his high school years as he aims to best prepare himself to make the leap to college with an eye on making the NBA in the future.
But things weren’t always easy for the younger Bowman after he was cut from his first AAU team in the 2023-24 season – something he now uses as fuel, according to his father.
“Ever since he got cut from his first AAU team, it’s been a process,” Bowman Sr. said of his son earlier in January. “He didn’t like that feeling. When he started to experience success against the top guys, he never got complacent and always answered the bell.”
In his national television debut on ESPN 2 in Notre Dame’s clash against Sierra Canyon – where Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James played just a few seasons ago – Bowman Jr. dropped 36 points, albeit in a 78-74 defeat.
With his father now taking a step away from football as he bids to help his son live out his own dreams, Bowman Jr. is relishing his father’s investment into him.
“I follow my dad’s example and listen to everything he says, like starting my workday at 5:30 a.m. while my competition’s sleeping,” Bowman Jr. said.
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Bowman Jr. (L) has already faced the likes of Bryce James (R) – son of NBA superstar LeBron James – in his HS careerCredit: Getty
“He’s excelled at the highest level of sports, and he’s a coach. And he also helps me from a mental standpoint, with simple stuff like making my bed every morning to start the day off by accomplishing something.”
Now, the highly sought-after prospect has reportedly received scholarship offers from top colleges in the country including that of UCLA, USC, Villanova, TCU, Cal and his father’s alma mater, Penn State.
Despite the plethora of collegiate options on the table for him, Bowman Jr.’s hunger stretches far beyond that.
“Offers don’t mean anything,” said Bowman Jr. “If anything, it’s made me want to work harder to get more.
“The only goal in front of me right now is for us to win a state championship. The chip on my shoulder is getting bigger, just like that first time I got cut.”
It is this mentality that Notre Dame head coach Matt Sergeant believes could take him all the way to the NBA.
“I’ve been blessed to coach a lot of high-level kids,” Sergeant said. “I don’t know if I’d rank anyone higher than NaVorro in terms of his desire to compete.
“He wants to win every drill, fights for every inch on the court, and accepts coaching. And he’s a smart, funny kid with an innate Magic Johnson-type joy that can light up any room.”
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It seems all but a matter of time before the NBA beckons.
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