The Chargers have found their new defensive coordinator, hiring Chris O’Leary after interviewing him on Wednesday. The move comes after Jesse Minter left to be the Ravens‘ new head coach.
O’Leary was previously the defensive coordinator and safeties coach for Western Michigan University, where he led a top-10 national total defense in his first year (17.6 points per game allowed).
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Before holding that position, O’Leary coached safeties for the Chargers in 2024, where he was integral in coaching Derwin James Jr. to his fourth Pro Bowl appearance.
O’Leary’s rise began at Notre Dame, where he spent six seasons. He started as a defensive analyst in 2018 before becoming the defensive backs coach (safeties) from 2021 to 2023, coaching a handful of high-end players, including Kyle Hamilton and Xavier Watts.
O’Leary has also coached at Florida Tech (2017) as a safeties coach and Georgia State as a graduate assistant (2015-16).
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers hire Chris O’Leary as defensive coordinator
