The Chargers have interviewed former Falcons defensive coordinator Richard Smith as a candidate for linebackers coach – one of the last vacancies left on Coach Anthony Lynn’s new staff.

Smith, 61, was let go earlier this week following Atlanta’s loss to the Patriots in Super Bowl LI, a collapse that saw the team give up a 21-3 halftime lead. Prior to his two-year stint with the Falcons, he coached linebackers in Denver (2011-14) and Carolina (2009-10). A longtime NFL assistant, Smith has also served as a defensive coordinator for the Texans and Dolphins.

He was the special teams and assistant linebackers coach in Denver when Lynn joined the league as a Broncos running back in 1993.

The Chargers had also interviewed Frank Bush and Robert Saleh as candidates to coach linebackers. The former – who spent the past four seasons with the Rams – joined the Dolphins last month in the same capacity, while the latter reportedly is a candidate to become the 49ers’ defensive coordinator.

The Chargers recently hired John Lott as their new strength and conditioning coach. Lott had previously worked for the Cardinals, and was also the bench press spotter at the NFL scouting combine for 16 years.

Lynn’s other additions to his staff include defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, special teams coordinator and assistant head coach George Stewart, running backs coach Alfredo Roberts and offensive line coach Pat Meyer.

The team also has retained several assistants, most notably offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt. Other holdovers include defensive line coach Giff Smith, defensive backs coach Ron Milus, receivers coach Nick Sirianni, quarterbacks coach Shane Steichen and assistant special teams coach Marquice Williams.

“I wanted to keep as many good coaches as possible for continuity reasons, especially for the transition,” Lynn said. “I want to hit the ground running. I don’t want a lot of guys trying to figure each other out.”

Contact the writer: jwang@scng.com