John Fox is not expected to do radical surgery on his coaching staff after one of the most dismal seasons in his personal NFL history. But neither is he expected to ignore opportunities for upgrades, and a familiar one may present itself on the offensive side of the football.

Mike McCoy, a long-time offensive assistant under Fox in both Carolina and Denver, is reportedly close to being fired by the San Diego as the Chargers stumble to the finish of their own disappointing (5-10) and fourth season under McCoy. His relationship with Fox raises the prospect of Fox possibly looking to add to his offensive staff under coordinator Dowell Loggains, with specific responsibilities for one phase of the offense or as an assistant head coach under Fox.

Fox added the job of passing-game coordinator to McCoy’s duties as quarterbacks coach under Fox with Carolina in 2007-08.

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Fox, who has evinced no dissatisfaction with the job Loggains has done since succeeding Adam Gase as Bears offensive coordinator, retained McCoy on the Panthers staff when Fox took the head coaching job there in 2002. McCoy left to become offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in Denver in 2009; Fox became Broncos head coach in 2011 and again kept McCoy in place as offensive coordinator.

Fox supported McCoy’s candidacy for the San Diego job after McCoy had come from the Panthers with Fox, serving as Fox’s offensive coordinator

The Chargers finished 9-7 in McCoy’s first two years (2013-14), winning a playoff game in ’13, but sagged to 4-12 last season and continued to falter this year. They have lost their last four, capped by the ignominy of being the first team to lose this season to the Cleveland Browns.