Western Michigan’s O’Leary hired as Chargers’ defensive coordinator

LOS ANGELES — The Chargers have appointed Chris O’Leary from Western Michigan as their new defensive coordinator, the team announced on Wednesday evening.

O’Leary, who was also the defensive coordinator at Western Michigan last season, returns to the Chargers after a stint coaching safeties in 2024. Under his leadership at Western Michigan, the defense ranked ninth in the FBS and second in the Mid-American Conference in scoring defense (allowing 17.4 points per game). It was also the MAC’s second-best unit regarding total net yards allowed per game (305.5), which placed 19th nationally.

Prior to his time with the Chargers and Western Michigan, O’Leary spent six seasons at Notre Dame, where he began as a defensive analyst before rising to defensive backs and safeties coach, mentoring current Chargers cornerback Cam Hart.

O’Leary’s task will be to maintain what has proven to be one of the NFL’s top defenses over the last two seasons under former coordinator Jesse Minter, who departed last week to take the head coach position with the Baltimore Ravens.

Linebacker Daiyan Henley shared his enthusiasm for O’Leary’s appointment on X, stating, “The vibes are up,” shortly after the announcement. Safeties Tony Jefferson and Elijah Molden also showed their support. In 2024, while O’Leary coached him, Molden achieved career highs in interceptions (3), pass deflections (7), tackles (75), and fumble recoveries (2).

Last year, Minter led the Chargers to the NFL’s fifth-best defense (allowing 285.2 yards per game). In 2024, Minter’s first year in Los Angeles, the Chargers topped the league in fewest points allowed per game (17.7).

When Minter took over in L.A., he inherited one of the league’s lower-ranked defenses, which under former coach Brandon Staley ranked 30th in yards allowed per play (5.7), points per game (24.8), and rushing yards per game (134) over three years. Under Minter’s guidance for two seasons, the Chargers improved to second in QBR allowed (50.0), third in points (18.9), and seventh in yards per play (5.2).