EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — In a move that might not have shocked the diehards but definitely excited the fanbase, the Los Angeles Chargers have made it official: Chris O’Leary is their new defensive coordinator. After announcing the hiring of their new offensive coordinator just one day earlier, the Chargers have now addressed the other side of the ball, turning to a familiar face to lead the defense in 2026.
O’Leary, 34, returns to the Chargers after spending the 2024 season as the safeties coach with the Bolts. O’Leary’s impact was immediately felt in the form of Derwin James Jr., the All-Pro safety who continued his trajectory toward greatness. Under O’Leary’s guidance, James earned his fourth Pro Bowl selection in 2024, adding to his already impressive resume. O’Leary helped elevate James’ game, refining his coverage skills, his leadership in the back end, and his overall impact on the field.
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In his lone year with Western Michigan as their defensive coordinator in 2025, O’Leary orchestrated a unit that ranked ninth in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 17.4 points per game.
That’s a significant accomplishment for a program outside the power conferences and a testament to O’Leary’s ability to scheme up effective, disruptive defenses. Now, he’s tasked with bringing that same energy to Los Angeles as the Chargers’ defensive leader.
From his six years at Notre Dame, where he worked in various roles including defensive analyst, to his recent successes in the NFL, O’Leary has developed a reputation as a coach who knows how to maximize talent at all levels. His time coaching the secondary at Notre Dame helped solidify one of the most respected units in college football, and he showed a remarkable ability to adapt his coaching style to the talent at hand. That flexibility could be crucial for the Chargers, who will likely be looking to blend their current talent with new acquisitions in the coming seasons.
The Chargers’ decision to hire O’Leary is a clear signal that they are serious about developing a defense that can complement their high-powered offense.