Welcome Back, Nick Hardwick Asst OL Coach

[Formula 21]

Chargers News: Bolts Sign Second Former Player to Coaching Staff

Former Chargers offensive lineman will join Jim Harbaugh’s already stacked coaching staff.

Ricardo SandovalFeb 13, 2024 7:24 PM EST
The Los Angeles Chargers and Jim Harbaugh continue to add to their already elite coaching staff, and it happens to be another former player.

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo announced the Bolts have hired former offensive lineman Nick Hardwick as their new assistant offensive line coach.




Hardwick spent his 11-year career with the then-San Diego Chargers from 2004 to 2014. In his tenure, he was named a Pro Bowler in 2006 and was named to the San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary Team.

Hardwick's career was short-lived due to serious health concerns, which caused him to retire. The 42-year-old has no coaching experience. Scroll to Continue
Nonetheless, Harbaugh and the Chargers believe in his abilities and will be a part of this new coaching staff. The former player will be tasked to build an elite offensive line to protect the backfield and, more importantly, superstar quarterback Justin Herbert.

[Formula 21]

Wowzer. Me likee.

[21&500]

Oh look
my nerdy dreams are coming true.

LT as RB coach...?

[Boltinloudguy]

LOVE IT!!!

[powderblueboy]

Great, building a culture and emphasizing Charger tradition while hiring the right people.

Not through crappy slogans like "OUR WAY", and being a bro to players, and victory game ball ceremonies,
and chasing after helmets slammed into the turf.

[Geezbolt]

Great guy, great hire.

[jamrock]

Always liked Nick. He was a gamer.

[SBbound]

Loved his attitude.
Can anyone find the picture of Nick walking into the Washington stadium? 2005? It said a thousand words about his game.

[Formula 21]

Nick knows leverage. Nick knows technique. He has the knowledge to be a great teacher, something that has been missing form the staff for a few years.

[AK47]

No coaching experience then again what exactly does an assistant OL coach do?

Aha Harbaugh. I see what your doing!!! Getting guys to run through walls for you at minimum wage. Brilliant!!!

I want Nick Kaeding for H20 assistant next!!

[dmac_bolt]

I’m kinda with AK so far. his coaching experience consists of a little bit of high school assistant coaching? I don’t get the mass eruption of joy over this one - so what if he once played OC here, is he an experienced or qualified coach? Well, we know he’s not experienced, we’ll see if he’s qualified.

Lots of players can’t coach, some can. I dunno - tbd for me. Sounds like an apprentice development opportunity for him to learn, good for him but I’m more interested in whats best for the team.

Trust in Jim … onward.

[Steve]

The players who you worry about are guys with a ton of talent They can get by with being a little sloppy here or there. Guys like Hardwick, who were small-ish, and not well-developed technique-wise coming out of college (remember, he was a walkon) and had to learn in the NFL, are probably going to be good coaches. He could rely on size or raw ability. Hardwick had to work hard, which is what Harbaugh wants.

He is going to have to learn to be an NFL coach. No doubt about it. But he knows the technique and tell players what they have to do to turn themselves into good players, which is what assistant OL coaches do.