O’Leary previously worked with the Chargers in 2024 as safeties coach under Minter and has since built his résumé coaching the Notre Dame secondary under Marcus Freeman. The report notes he also has ties to the Ravens’ coaching circle and to Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh.
Harbaugh himself praised O’Leary when he hired him at Western Michigan, calling him “a rising star” who is a “connector” and a “great addition” to the WMU family. That background helped propel him back to the NFL to run a high-profile defense in Los Angeles.
O’Leary inherits a defense that ranked fifth in the league under Minter, providing immediate continuity for a unit the Chargers have trusted in recent seasons. His arrival comes just two days after Mike McDaniel was announced as the Chargers’ offensive coordinator.
The move also comes on the heels of Teair Tart’s three-year extension, which solidifies the Bolts’ defensive front as O’Leary takes the reins. Together, the staff changes aim to maintain a strong, cohesive unit around a versatile roster.
Overall, O’Leary’s return to the NFL to lead the Chargers’ defense signals a continuity-driven transition for a top-ranked unit, as the organization aligns its coaching staff following Minter’s departure.
