SHOCKING: Chargers Hire Chris O’Leary as New Defensive Coordinator | Is He the Next Jesse Minter?

Daniel Wade and David Droegemeier break down the shocking hire of Chris O’Leary as the Chargers’ new defensive coordinator. The guys dive into why O’Leary’s rise from Western Michigan DC to one of the NFL’s youngest coordinators caught everyone off guard, and what this move means for maintaining scheme continuity after losing Jesse Minter. They spotlight O’Leary’s impressive one-year turnaround at Western Michigan and discuss why Jim Harbaugh’s staff-building philosophy makes this hire both exciting and strategic.

The discussion also covers potential ramifications for the coaching staff, especially with respected internal candidates like Steve Clinkscale possibly reconsidering their futures. The hosts give insight into the overwhelming support for O’Leary from Chargers players and what that says about his leadership. Plus, the episode introduces the Chargers’ new offensive line coach, Butch Barry, a familiar face for new OC Mike McDaniel, and digs into how this move could finally provide Justin Herbert with much-needed protection.

Throughout, Daniel Wade and David Drogmeyer connect the dots on how these coaching changes set the stage for the Chargers’ offseason and their quest to keep progressing on both sides of the ball.

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38 comments

  2. I think this is lowkey going to be a sleeper good hire. He is a program turnaround dc. He has dc calling experience unlike the others who have worked under Jesse. He has done that and called plays. He has brought out the best in players AND made game time adjustments PLUS he is the ONLY guy that IU had issues with this year. They could not beat his defense.

  9. Would have thought the players happiness with this move is a decent indicator given how well they have played these past two seasons and with him on the staff.

  10. Me at my desk working listening to the show. A driver comes in and is like "Damn you listening to Locked On Chargers too?"… and I was like "Hell Yeah… all day everyday!" We chopped it up for a minute… we're both ready for this newness. BTFU!

  22. I’ll leave you with this, the Ravens were basically forced to hire Minter because they wanted to retain the modular scheme they developed under McDonald and the collective. It was the safest option, (otherwise they would have to roll the dice w/ a young guy from the ravens/chargers/seahawks staff and force their new head coach to agree to it). it’s clear the scheme is very effective in the current meta and it translates to players far easier than other modern defensive schemes that are more complicated.

    Orr was their O’Leary but he could not fully problem solve their personnel issues in his first year but he did a solid job overall.

    O Leary got to problem solve at the college level where he would have had more personnel limitations in theory so it’s promising since he’s closer to Minter/Mcdonald in coaching experience

  23. I don't know about this hire… Its really risky. The only good teams they played in college he's defense got blow out in the losses. Should of hired someone with NFL experience

  25. Do you think cost has anything to do with the hire? I’m assuming Mike McDaniel wasn’t cheap. Makes me wonder if OLeary was just a cheaper hire than a more established coach.

  26. Yeah I’m sorry but as a realest this doesn’t excite me. Seems like every year we are missing SOMETHING and I have a feeling our offense will be great with Mike and our defense will tank with this non experienced guy. But I HOPE I’m wrong 🙂

  27. I have never commented on your site but just wanted you to know i watch you all the time keep up the awesome work. i love what the chargers are doing and excited about our future been a fan since the 70's sucked that we left San Dog but understood why favorite player is Gate's can't get enough Charger pod casts thanks again

  28. I keep seeing Chargers fans saying that Minter will take all our D position coaches. It makes no sense. First, these guys have a great relationship with Harbaugh, not just Minter. Second, they’re all under contract, so the only way they can leave is if it’s for a promotion. That means that Minter can take only two at the most (one for DC and MAYBE another for pass coordinator).

  35. Good morning DANIEL AND DAVID, IT'S ME TIMOTHY FROM VISTA CALIFORNIA, LET'S HOPE THE NEW OFFENSIVE LINE COACH CAN TRAIN THE OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OFFENSIVE LINE TO ATTACK THE DEFENSIVE PLAYERS AND PUSH THEM BACK WARDS TO GIVE THE QB SOME TIME TO FIND HIS OPEN WR'S TO PASS TO FOR A BIG FIRST DOWN OR A TD AND OPEN UP A BIG HOLE FOR THE RUNNING BACKS TO RUN THROUGH FOR A BIG FIRST DOWN OR A TD, DO YOU GUYS AGREE 👍.

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