Key Highlights
- The Los Angeles Chargers have agreed to terms with Chris O’Leary as their new defensive coordinator.
- O’Leary led Western Michigan’s defense to a significant turnaround in the 2025 season, ranking second in total defense and yards allowed per game.
- Previously, O’Leary worked with the Chargers in the safeties coach role, helping Derwin James Jr. earn his fourth NFL Pro Bowl selection.
- A substantial part of O’Leary’s coaching career was at Notre Dame, where he coached for six seasons and played a key role in several bowl games.
- Before his college coaching roles, O’Leary served as a graduate assistant and safeties coach, starting his journey with Georgia State and Florida Tech before joining the Fighting Irish.
New Defensive Coordinator: Chris O’Leary Joins Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers have made a significant move in their quest to strengthen their defense by agreeing to terms with Chris O’Leary as the team’s new defensive coordinator. This appointment comes at a time when the Chargers are looking to bounce back from a challenging 2025 season and secure a playoff spot.
Turnaround at Western Michigan
O’Leary’s journey in college football began with a significant turnaround at Western Michigan University, where he served as defensive coordinator during the 2025 season. His tenure was marked by impressive achievements, including ranking second in total defense and yards allowed per game within the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and ninth among all Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams. The defensive unit’s performance was a testament to O’Leary’s strategic acumen and leadership skills.
Experience with the Chargers
Before his stint at Western Michigan, O’Leary had his first taste of NFL coaching with the Los Angeles Chargers. He served as safeties coach in 2024, where he played a crucial role in helping Derwin James Jr., the team’s All-Pro safety, secure his fourth consecutive NFL Pro Bowl selection. Under O’Leary’s guidance, the safeties unit was instrumental in the Chargers’ overall defensive performance, contributing significantly to their top-ranked scoring defense.
Notre Dame Legacy
A significant portion of O’Leary’s career is deeply rooted in his time at Notre Dame. From 2018 to 2024, he coached for six seasons in various roles, including defensive analyst and safeties coach. Notably, O’Leary coached during several bowl games, including the College Football Playoff Semifinals at The Rose Bowl (2020) and The Cotton Bowl (2018). His experience with Notre Dame provided him with a robust foundation in college football tactics and strategies that he can now bring to the NFL.
Early Coaching Beginnings
O’Leary’s coaching journey began on the collegiate level, where he served as a graduate assistant at Georgia State from 2017 to 2018. In 2019, O’Leary moved to Florida Tech as safeties coach before joining Notre Dame in 2020. His early roles have prepared him well for the challenges of being a defensive coordinator at the NFL level.
With these credentials and experiences, Chris O’Leary is poised to bring a fresh perspective and strategic depth to the Chargers’ defense as they look ahead to the upcoming season and beyond. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how his leadership influences the team’s performance on the field.
