UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio -- HBO's annual mini series Hard Knocks is back for it's 15th season after debuting in fall of  2001. This year's broadcast features the Los Angeles Chargers and the Los Angeles Rams.  Although drills, meetings and interviews on this year's version of the show look a little different due to the COVID-19 pandemic, featuring coaches wearing masks and fans prohibited from attending practices, one thing remains the same:  The 2020 Chargers and Rams feature the rich NFL ties that the Blue Streaks have throughout the league. 
 

Tom Telesco ('95) is the current general manager of the Los Angeles Chargers, the youngest  GM in the franchise's history. He has held this role with the team since 2013.  Telesco, a 1995 graduate of John Carroll University, played football for the Blue Streaks while earning his Bachelor of Business Management in the Boler School of Business. 

Before his current tenure with the Chargers, Telesco could be found as a member of the Indianapolis Colts franchise where he served for 14 years (1998-2012). Telesco worked in the scouting department for the Colts until the conclusion of the 2005 campaign when he was promoted to the Director of Player Personnel.  Telesco saw a multitude of success during his time in Indianapolis. Of his 14 seasons, the Colts earned their way to the postseason 12 times, accumulated eight division titles as well as a 1-1 record in Super Bowls. 

Since joining the Chargers franchise, Telesco is responsible for drafting Ohio State standout Joey Bosa (2016) who became the NFL Defensive Rookie of the year and has earned Pro Bowl honors twice in his young career as well as All-Pro Safety Derwin James (2018).
 

Brandon Staley, a native of Perry, Ohio, is the Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator, entering his first season with the team.  

Staley held the same position with the Blue Streaks in 2013 and from 2015-2016. Staley was the mastermind behind the JCU defense in 2016 when John Carroll was crowned OAC Champions and went on to become NCAA Semifinalists. That season the John Carroll defense totaled 47 sacks, grabbed 15 interceptions while holding opponents to a measly 12.64 points per game. 

Since leaving JCU, Staley has spent the past three years as the outside linebackers coach for the Chicago Bears (2017-2018) and Denver Broncos (2019).

 

Chris Shula, son of David Shula and grandson of Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Don Shula ('51), was the Blue Streaks defensive coordinator in 2014.   During his season in University Heights, Shula and the Blue Streaks went 11-2 reaching the NCAA Quarterfinals and finishing as the tenth best scoring defense amongst all of Division III.  The team allowed only 13.38 points per game, gathered 17 interceptions while tallying 33 sacks. 

Shula is entering his fourth season with the Los Angeles Rams, and beginning his second stanza as the Rams outside linebackers coach. He previously served as the assistant linebackers coach in 2017-2018. 

Before his tenure with the Rams, Shula was with the San Diego Chargers as the defensive quality control coach.

 

Johnathan Cooley ('11) is the current defensive quality control coach for the Los Angeles Rams. He is coming over from the University of Akron where he just wrapped up his first season as the Zips cornerback's coach.

Cooley graduated from John Carroll in 2011 with a degree in finance and experience as a three year starter on the JCU football team. In addition, Cooley decided to return to University Heights to coach his former Blue Streaks (2013-2014) and earn his master's degree in business administration. During his time as a Blue Streak assistant coach, the JCU defensive backs tallied 14 interceptions and 42 pass break ups in 2013. However in Cooley's second season the JCU defense stepped it up another notch, grabbing 17 interceptions and totaling 48 pass break ups in 2014.

Cooley's position with the Rams affords him the opportunity to work with NFL super stars such as five time All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald and three time Pro Bowler defensive back Jalen Ramsey.

 

Danny Markino ('18) is one of the newest employees of the Los Angeles Chargers as he was hired in March of 2020 to become the team's new communications coordinator.  Markino brings to LA his most recent experience with the defending Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. In 2019, Markino worked for the Chiefs as a seasonal communications assistant.

Before his time in Kansas City, Markino found himself in Cleveland with the Browns as a public relations department intern from 2016-2018. Markino graduated from John Carroll in 2018 where he was a member of the John Carroll football team from 2014-2017 and was a key contributor in the sports information department.  

Markino credits JCU as he continues blazing his path through the NFL. "Working in the Sports Information Department and being a student-athlete at John Carroll University not only presented me with the opportunities to develop and adapt, but guided me towards making the correct life and career choices that have brought me to where I am today."

In addition, Cooley, Markino, Shula and Staley are linked to one another as personnel who have worked or played under former Blue Streak football coach and current University of Akron head coach, Tom Arth.