Shane Day, quarterbacks coach for the Los Angeles Chargers and a valued Justin Herbert mentor, is scheduled to interview on Saturday for the New York Giants vacant offensive coordinator position.
With that
in mind, let’s get to know more about the 51-year-old Day. Michael Peterson of SB Nation’s Bolts from the Blue , which covers the Chargers, answered our questions about Day.
Ed: He interviewed for Chargers’ OC. Had Mike McDaniel not become available, would making Day offensive coordinator have been a good decision?
Michael: I think if the Chargers believed promoting someone who has been by Herbert’s side for all but one season since he was drafted was the right move, then I would have supported the idea. If there’s anyone who knows what is best for Herbert and his game, it’s Day.
Ed: How much of a loss to the Chargers’ coaching staff would it be if Day were to get the Giants’ job?
Michael: I think it would be a huge loss due to Day and Herbert’s strong relationship they’ve molded over the years. They have similar personalities and Herbert has been one of the quarterbacks hit the hardest since he was drafted in regards to offensive coaches coming and going around him. I think he deserves to have more continuity and Day gives him that in spades.
Ed: Justin Herbert appears to be a big fan of Day. What about Day’s work with the star QB has made it that way?
Michael: From the very beginning, Day has been enamored with Herbert and his skillset. Several years ago, Day took part in an interview where he couldn’t help but gush about his quarterback from start to finish. He went on to discuss how he has folders of Herbert’s greatest throws that he put together solely for him to watch when he’s having a hard day.
If that’s not a special form of love between the two, I don’t know what is. They make each other’s jobs easier and more enjoyable. You can’t ask for much more than that when you work in the NFL.
Ed: Day hasn’t drawn a lot of interest from other teams for OC jobs. Why?
Michael: To be honest, I’m not entirely sure. He has a lot of experience coaching some great quarterbacks over the years with some of the best franchises of the past decade, but you just haven’t seen a ton of attention for Day when the offseason arrives. Maybe he doesn’t want to climb up the coaching ladder as much as other coaches? Maybe he loves his job that much. It’s not out of the realm of possibility, especially when he gets to work with such a great player every day.
Ed: Day played football at Rhodes College, wherever that is and whatever level of play it was. He started his career as a high school coach. What is unique about this guy that has enabled him to forge this career he has had?
Michael: I think Day’s bright and engaging personality is a sign of a man who absolutely loves his job and everything that comes with it. You won’t catch anyone with a negative thing to say about him. Guys like that are easy to like and even easier to trust. It’s not a surprise he went from high school position coach to the University of Michigan, then to the San Francisco 49ers in the span of six years. The work ethic he exudes has produced results and I believe everyone can see that wherever he happens to be coaching.
