Chris O”Leary has made his return to the Los Angeles Chargers as their new defensive coordinator, a position he assumed on January 28, 2025, after Jesse Minter left to become the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens.
Last season, O”Leary was in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serving as the defensive coordinator for Western Michigan. Despite his commitment to the Broncos, he found himself drawn back to Southern California. Each Wednesday during the season, he would analyze the latest Chargers game footage, preparing highlights for his players back at Western Michigan. He would modify the terminology slightly to suit his team”s needs and remind them, “Watch the guys at the highest level do it.”
O”Leary”s journey with Minter spans several years, beginning in their college days at Indiana State, where O”Leary played as a scout team quarterback and wide receiver. They later collaborated at Georgia State, with O”Leary taking on a role as a graduate assistant coach for the defensive line. That experience sparked his passion for defense, leading him to positions at Florida Tech and eventually the Chargers under head coach Jim Harbaugh prior to the 2024 season.
During his single season with Western Michigan, O”Leary”s defense played a crucial role in the team clinching the Mid-American Conference championship with a 10-4 record. The Broncos” defense ranked ninth in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), allowing an average of 17.4 points per game. Although the season began with a rough start against Michigan State, O”Leary”s defense rebounded impressively, finishing strong with a 10-1 record.
O”Leary”s return to the Chargers was expedited by Minter”s departure, and he noted that he received multiple offers, but coming back to the Chargers was “a no-brainer.” Players like Pro Bowl safety Derwin James Jr. reached out to him, expressing their enthusiasm about his return. “I think he called during the interview,” O”Leary remarked humorously.
Now, O”Leary faces the challenge of enhancing one of the NFL”s top defenses. Last season, the Chargers ranked as the ninth-best defense, allowing an average of 20 points per game and contributing to the team”s second consecutive season with 11 wins.
O”Leary outlined his two main objectives: first, to elevate the existing strengths of the defense, and second, to evolve the system by tailoring it to the players” skills. “We”re going to focus on what we”ve built, the foundation that”s been laid, and take it to another level,” he stated.
When asked if he had contacted standout outside linebackers Khalil Mack and Odafe Oweh, who are pending unrestricted free agents, O”Leary laughed, indicating that it was a matter for the general manager in the weeks to come. With free agency opening on March 11, the Chargers have critical decisions ahead.
“I think all the guys here see me as a coach, see me as a guy who”s going to push them and really pull the most out of them,” O”Leary said. His emotional farewell to the players at Western Michigan highlighted his deep commitment to coaching, emphasizing the importance of building relationships that foster growth and improvement.
