Chris O”Leary has made a triumphant return to the Los Angeles Chargers as their new defensive coordinator, a position he stepped into on January 28. This move comes after Jesse Minter departed for the head coach role with the Baltimore Ravens just days earlier, on January 22.
Prior to his return, O”Leary spent the 2025 season as the defensive coordinator at Western Michigan, where he led the team to a Mid-American Conference championship, finishing the season with a 10-4 record. His time in Kalamazoo, Michigan, was marked by a commitment to reviewing Chargers games every Wednesday, sharing insights with his players about high-level play.
The relationship between O”Leary and Minter spans several years, dating back to their time at Indiana State, where O”Leary played and Minter was on the coaching staff. Their paths crossed again at Georgia State, Florida Tech, and ultimately the Chargers, where O”Leary coached safeties and contributed to the team”s standout defensive performance.
During his stint at Western Michigan, O”Leary”s defense allowed an average of 17.4 points per game, ranking ninth in the FBS and second in the MAC. However, he recalls a challenging start to the season, including a tough loss to Michigan State. Yet, the team rebounded, finishing strong after an initial setback.
With Minter”s exit, O”Leary”s return was swift, and he describes it as “a no-brainer,” despite receiving other offers. His connection with the Chargers was evident as players, including Pro Bowl safety Derwin James Jr., immediately reached out to him, with James even calling during O”Leary”s interview.
Now, O”Leary faces the challenge of enhancing one of the NFL”s top defenses, which ranked ninth last season by allowing an average of 20 points per game. He emphasized two main focuses for his upcoming tenure: first, to elevate the existing strengths of the defense, and second, to evolve the system by tailoring strategies to fit the current personnel.
As he prepares for the season ahead, O”Leary expresses enthusiasm about the opportunity to work with the players and is committed to pushing them to reach their fullest potential. He acknowledges the emotional bond he formed with his former players at Western Michigan and aims to foster a similarly supportive environment with the Chargers.
As the NFL free agency period opens on March 11, O”Leary”s strategic decisions will be crucial in shaping the future of the Chargers” defense, with the hope of building upon the foundation established in previous seasons.
