Chris O”Leary has officially returned to the Los Angeles Chargers as their defensive coordinator, a position he eagerly accepted following the departure of Jesse Minter, who left to become head coach of the Baltimore Ravens. O”Leary, who previously served as the team”s safeties coach in 2024, expressed that coming back to the Chargers was an easy decision.
After spending the 2025 season as the defensive coordinator at Western Michigan, O”Leary felt a strong connection to Southern California. Throughout last season, he dedicated time each Wednesday to study the Chargers” games and prepare highlight videos for his players at Western Michigan, sharing insights and encouraging them to learn from the best in the league.
O”Leary”s journey with Minter dates back to their days at Indiana State, where O”Leary acted as a scout team quarterback while Minter coached alongside his father. Their paths continued to cross as they worked together at different institutions, including Florida Tech and Notre Dame, before joining the Chargers in 2024. During his previous tenure, O”Leary played a significant role in developing one of the NFL”s top defenses.
At Western Michigan, O”Leary”s defensive unit helped secure the Mid-American Conference championship, finishing the season with a commendable 10-4 record. The defense was formidable, allowing only an average of 17.4 points per game, ranking ninth in the FBS and second in the MAC. However, O”Leary recalls a challenging start to the season, where his defense struggled significantly against Michigan State.
With Minter”s exit anticipated by head coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz, O”Leary”s return was swift. He received immediate support from players, notably Pro Bowl safety Derwin James Jr., who expressed his enthusiasm even during O”Leary”s interview process. “I think he called during the interview,” O”Leary said with a laugh.
As he takes on the challenge of enhancing an already impressive defensive squad, O”Leary aims to build on the strengths of the defense while also adapting it to fit the current roster. “Number one, we”re going to elevate what we do well,” he stated. “The second thing we”re going to do is evolve the defense. We”re going to add things tailored to the personnel we have going into the season.” O”Leary is committed to maximizing the potential of the players under his guidance.
The upcoming free agency period will be crucial, especially as O”Leary considers the futures of standout players like outside linebackers Khalil Mack and Odafe Oweh, both of whom are approaching unrestricted free agency. O”Leary indicated that he would leave those discussions to the front office but is focused on fostering a strong relationship with the current squad.
As the Chargers prepare for the next season, O”Leary is determined to build on the foundation laid by his predecessor and elevate the team”s defensive capabilities to new heights.
