Rivers happy to have Whisenhunt back in San Diego

Ken Whisenhunt's transition from head coach to offensive coordinator has been smoother than most coming from his position.

The former Tennessee Titans head coach rejoined the San Diego Chargers this offseason, filling the previous role he had in 2013 leading the team's offense and calling plays for quarterback Philip Rivers.

"That makes for an easy transition. There are some things that are different, but not a lot," Rivers recently told Lindsay Jones of USA TODAY Sports. "It's good to have him back. It's a good fit."

The Chargers need a boost to their rushing attack after a disappointing season from first-round running back Melvin Gordon and a 31st-ranked finish in the run game. Rivers expects the focus will remain on the aerial attack, but hopes the few changes Whisenhunt brings will lead to an improved ground game.

"(Whisenhunt) has that hard, tough, hard-nosed background, but at the same time, shoot, we threw it a bunch that year," Rivers said. "I don't anticipate all of a sudden we're going to change philosophies and what we do, but we have to run the ball better."

With Whisenhunt serving as offensive coordinator in 2013, the Chargers made the playoffs with a 9-7 record and fielded the league's fifth-ranked offense.