Former Chargers HC Brandon Staley expresses gratitude over his hard-fought battle with Cancer

Staley recently joined the San Francisco 49ers as the assistant coach.

Former Chargers HC Brandon Staley expresses gratitude over his hard-fought battle with Cancer

Brandon Staley (via IMAGO)

At times, the biggest challenges in one’s life tend to teach them the most influential and important lessons. For Brandon Staley, the former head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, it was his battle with cancer. In 2006, his life took a drastic turn after he was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, what followed was six months of intense chemotherapy sessions and six weeks of radiation. Ultimately, he reigned victorious over the disease.

From that point forward, he embarked on his coaching career which has been fruitful, to say the least. Last year was by no means an ideal one for him. Staley was appointed as the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021 but was fired halfway through the 2023 season after a disappointing record with the team. Now, he looks forward to his new role as an assistant coach for the San Francisco 49ers.

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Despite being cancer-free for over a decade, he has not forgotten the lessons the rough journey taught him. 

My cancer journey is directly responsible for me becoming an NFL head coach and it's certainly going to be a big reason for me responding to what happened after becoming a head coach. As a competitor, you're always looking to improve and you have to be able to prove yourself under tough circumstances and that's part of sports, that's part of life, being able to deal with all of it.
Brandon Staley said in his first 49ers interview

Staley is no stranger to adversity, he has fought a battle that very few can relate to. The entire process right from being diagnosed with cancer all the way to fighting it takes a mental and physical toll on the wellbeing of a person.

Brandon Staley is excited about his new role with the San Francisco 49ers

The journey grants a new perspective to an individual on life. For Staley, the process taught him the value of being grateful for everything. 

There's not a day that goes by where I'm not reminded of it and I'm very thankful for it and hopefully it will help me here.
the Assistant coach admitted

His tenure with the Chargers was far from ideal but he can take credit for identifying and bringing in Justin Herbert, a QB who is well on his way to establishing himself as one of the best players at his position in the NFL.

Brandon Staley
Brandon Staley (via IMAGO)

This season, Staley will look to use his skills to help strengthen the San Francisco 49ers defense and lead the team to a Super Bowl victory. He is the right-hand of defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen. Despite taking a significant step back from his earlier position as a head coach, Staley, unlike other coaches is not allowing his ego to get in his way.

He is grateful for this role and is focused on executing it to the best of his abilities. To have a coach with this mindset is ideal for the team, at times, it becomes easy to lose focus and perspective from what is important and the things that matter. During such situations, it is people like Brandon Staley, that have fought a tough battle that will get you back in touch with reality.

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