Former Notre Dame coach hired as LA Chargers defensive coordinator

[ASFN Admin]

The Notre Dame football coaching tree grew a pretty sizable branch on Wednesday evening.

Former defensive backs coach Chris O’Leary, who was the defensive coordinator at Western Michigan this past fall, will return to the NFL as the Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator as reported by Adam Schefter. Prior to being with the Broncos, he was the safeties coach for the Chargers in 2024.

Starting as an analyst in 2018, O’Leary worked his way up the ranks with the Irish, then as a graduate assistant to the safeties coach. His rise was a quick one, as he coached both Kyle Hamilton and Xavier Watts.

O’Leary has been coaching since his playing career ended, starting at Georgia State before going to Florida Tech. At this point, it’s hard to see him not getting a head coaching opportunity at some point, either in college or the NFL.

Sources: Chargers are hiring Western Michigan defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary as their defensive coordinator. O’Leary returns to the Chargers, where he worked as safeties coach under Jesse Minter in 2024. Prior to the Chargers, O’Leary coached the secondary at Notre Dame… pic.twitter.com/643ARpuk10

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 29, 2026

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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Former Notre Dame coach hired as Chargers defensive coordinator

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