A short while after the Chargers completed their draft Sunday afternoon, Assistant General Manager Buddy Nix informed General Manager A.J. Smith he was retiring.

At 68 years old, after 15 seasons in the NFL and 32 years before that as a college coach, the travel and other demands had become somewhat burdensome, Nix said.

Buddy Nix

It remained unclear last night whether Nix actually retired or left with the intention of getting another job.

He was unavailable for comment last night.

What is known is that Nix flew home to Tennessee on Sunday night with friend Jimmy Sexton, an influential NFL agent. The league was abuzz last night with talk both that Nix had been forced out and that he would work again soon with another team.

Nix's departure prompted a flurry of changes in the Chargers' personnel department. Nix was primarily a scout and held the title of director of player personnel.

Ed McGuire, the Chargers' executive vice president, added the title of assistant GM. McGuire long has been the Chargers' chief contract negotiator and salary cap guru.

Jimmy Raye was promoted to director of player personnel. Raye had been the Chargers' director of college scouting.

John Spanos, the assistant director under Raye, now has the director title.

The Chargers also hired Randy Mueller as a senior executive. Mueller, who has been the GM of the New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins, will scout nationally.

The Chargers also promoted Mike Biehl to assistant director of college scouting and Tom McConnaughey to national scout, and they made Chris Hobbs executive assistant for player personnel.

“We have decided to restructure from within,” Smith said. “We are rewarding a lot of talented people with promotions.”

Nix had been with the Chargers since 2001, arriving with then-GM John Butler and Smith, who was then the assistant GM.

Nix served as director of player personnel before being named the assistant general manager when Smith was promoted to GM in 2003 after Butler's death. He has overseen pro and college scouting.

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Kevin Acee: (619) 293-1857; kevin.acee@uniontrib.com