Fall guy? Chargers fire special teams coach in midst of sorry season

SAN DIEGO

The San Diego Chargers have fired special teams coordinator Kevin Spencer with five games left in a miserable season.

Spencer was fired Wednesday, three days after Jacksonville used an 11-man rush to block a punt by Mike Scifres with 1:30 to go, leading to a touchdown that pulled the Jaguars to 31-25. San Diego (3-8) held on to end its six-game losing streak.

The Chargers went into that game with 1 net yard in punt returns. Javontee Herndon, who muffed a punt in a 33-3 loss to Kansas City a week earlier, had 33 yards on two returns against the Jaguars.

The Chargers announced Spencer's firing in a release more than two hours after coach Mike McCoy held his usual news conference.

General manager Tom Telesco didn't return an email seeking comment.