Chargers begin interviewing candidates to replace fired GM Smith; Raye believed to be 1st up

SAN DIEGO – Consultant Ron Wolf says the San Diego Chargers began interviewing candidates on Tuesday to replace fired general manager A.J. Smith.

The Chargers aren't giving specifics, but Wolf says Tuesday's interview was in San Diego and didn't involve an outside candidate. That would leave Jimmy Raye, the Chargers' director of player personnel who is known to be a candidate.

According to four people familiar with the search process, the other known candidates are player personnel men Tom Gamble of San Francisco, David Caldwell of Atlanta, Steve Keim of Arizona and Tom Telesco of Indianapolis. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the Chargers haven't revealed the names.

Wolf, a former GM of the Green Bay Packers, is assisting Chargers President Dean Spanos with the search.

Smith was fired Monday, along with coach Norv Turner, after the Chargers finished 7-9 and out of the playoffs for the third straight season.