Chargers hire Western Michigan's Chris O'Leary as DC

Field Level Media|published: Thu 29th January, 02:47 2026

Aug 10, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; The Los Angeles Chargers logo at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Jim Harbaugh is replacing his understudy with ... his understudy's understudy.

The Los Angeles Chargers announced late Wednesday night that they hired Western Michigan defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary to fill same role with the Chargers.

O'Leary will replace Jesse Minter, who left Los Angeles to become the Baltimore Ravens' head coach last week after spending four years working under Harbaugh (two at the University of Michigan and two with the Chargers).

Before helping Western Michigan to a 10-4 record and the Mid-American Conference championship in 2025, O'Leary coached with the Chargers, serving as the safeties coach under Minter in 2024. The Chargers led the NFL in scoring defense that season, allowing 17.7 points per game.

Western Michigan finished ninth in the FBS last season with 17.4 points allowed per game.

Prior to joining the Chargers, O'Leary, 34, spent six seasons at Notre Dame, working his way up from defensive analyst to defensive backs and safeties coach.

On Monday, the Chargers announced the hiring of former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel as their offensive coordinator.

--Field Level Media

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