Anthony Lynn is LA Chargers’ coach

Thursday began with the Chargers choosing a new city.

Come Friday morning, they had a new head coach.

The newest Los Angeles franchise has hired Bills interim head coach and offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn, a source confirmed Friday. This is the latest layer to an atmospheric rise for the 48-year-old, who began 2016 as Buffalo’s running backs coach, became its offensive coordinator in September and then interim coach in late December.

Before that, he put in his time.

Lynn entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie running back, one with stout size at 6-foot-3 out of Texas Tech. He bounced around from the Broncos in 1993, 49ers from 1995 to 1996 and then the Broncos for the next three years. In 1997 and 1998, he won a Super Bowl, the first of which coincidentally was played in San Diego.

He was a running backs coach for the Jaguars, Cowboys, Browns, Jets and Bills for 12-plus seasons before last season’s opportunity to replace Greg Roman, who was fired two games into the year. Lynn then replaced Rex Ryan for the final game of the season, a 30-10 road loss to the Jets.

The Chargers dismissed Mike McCoy on Jan. 1 following a four-year tenure during which he went 27-37.

They relocated from San Diego on Thursday after a 56-year run.

Hiring Lynn seems poised to become the franchise’s next major decision.

Multiple candidates are under consideration to be his defensive coordinator, a source said. Those include Gus Bradley, formerly the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator and Jaguars head coach. He interviewed to become the Chargers’ head coach in 2013.

This could spell a departure from John Pagano in the role, one he’s held the past five seasons. He’s also been with the organization for the past 15, starting as a defensive quality control coach in 2002.

Ken Whisenhunt is expected to be retained at offensive coordinator, offering some measure of stability for an organization in short supply.

Buccaneers defensive coordinator Mike Smith, Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott, Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub and Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin all interviewed with the Chargers during a six-day period that began last Thursday.

Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph was scheduled to meet with the club Wednesday, but he canceled to accept the Broncos’ head coach position. The Bills hired McDermott on the same day.

Sid Gillman was the Chargers’ head coach in 1960 during the franchise’s first season in Los Angeles.

Fifty-seven years later, Lynn follows.

michael.gehlken@sduniontribune.com