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Chris O'Leary stands on the field before a game between Central Michigan and Notre Dame on Sept. 16, 2023. (Michael Caterina / Associated Press)
The Chargers are bringing back a familiar name to guide their defense moving forward.
Chris O'Leary, who worked as the Chargers' safeties coach in 2024 under coach Jim Harbaugh before spending 2025 as the defensive coordinator at Western Michigan, was named the Chargers' defensive coordinator on Wednesday night.
O'Leary helped guide Western Michigan to a 10-4 record in the Mid American Conference Championship. His defense ranked ninth in the Football Bowl Subdivision and was second in the MAC in scoring defense (17.4 points allowed per game).
Before his stint with the Chargers, O'Leary spent six seasons coaching in different roles at Notre Dame, eventually becoming a defensive backs and safeties coach.
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With the Chargers in 2024, O'Leary helped a defensive unit led by coordinator Jesse Minter that allowed just 17.7 points per game — the best mark in the NFL. Led by Derwin James Jr., the Chargers had a 75.9 passer rating when target, best for third in the NFL among safety units in 2024.
The question is whether O'Leary can replicate the same success Minter had en route to landing a head coaching job with the Baltimore Ravens. Minter was instrumental in helping Harbaugh win a national title at Michigan.
The Minter-Harbaugh combination revived a Chargers defense that had struggled under previous coach Brandon Staley. Inheriting a team that ranked 28th in yards allowed per game (363) and 24th in points allowed per game (23.4) in 2023, the Chargers moved up to 11th in yards allowed (324) and first in points allowed per game under Minter and Harbaugh in 2024. Last season, the team was fifth in yards per game (285.2) and ninth in points allowed (20.0).
This is a developing story. The Times will have more soon on O'Leary.
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
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