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Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh
The Los Angeles Chargers have made several new additions to their coaching staff during the offseason.
None are bigger than Mike McDaniel, who will take over as the new offensive coordinator after the team let go of Greg Roman after two seasons. McDaniel has spent the last four years as the Miami Dolphins‘ head coach.
Before taking the gig in Miami, McDaniel served under Kyle Shanahan as offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers. McDaniel has held several offensive coaching titles since entering the NFL back in 2005, and is considered to have one of the brightest minds in the league.
Los Angeles Chargers Announce Several New Coaching Hires for the 2026 Season
The Chargers made the following new coaching hires official on Friday, announcing them on X:
Offensive line: Butch Barry
Assistant defensive line: Julian Campenni
Offensive assistant: Rob Everett
Passing game specialist: Adam Gase
Tight ends: Chandler Henley
Assistant outside linebackers: Denzel Martin
Running backs: Max McCaffrey
Linebackers: Sean Spence
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The list doesn’t include McDaniel because his hiring was already official. The same can be said for new defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary, who was brought back to the team after a year away at Western Michigan in the same role. O’Leary was with the Chargers during the 2024 season as the safeties coach.
There are a couple of notable names listed above, starting with Max McCaffrey, who is the brother of 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey. Max played for several NFL teams from 2016-2018, mostly on practice squads. He began his professional coaching career under McDaniel with the Dolphins, serving as an offensive assistant and running backs coach.
Butch Barry is also coming from Miami, as he coached the offensive line from 2023-2025 under McDaniel. Barry has coached in the NFL for a decade with five different teams. Another name that stands out is Adam Gase, who was the head coach of the Dolphins from 2016-2018, and New York Jets from 2019-2020. Gase has also served as offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears.
2026 Could Be an All-in Year for the Chargers
GettyLos Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (left) and head coach Jim Harbaugh (right)
Like all teams, the Chargers have needs to address during the offseason, but don’t have as many weaknesses as most. They’re already off to a good start with their coaching staff, now the focus becomes shoring up some soft spots throughout the roster. The most obvious place to start is the interior of the offensive line.
Los Angeles also has room for improvement in its linebacker corps, secondary, and at tight end. Fortunately, it has the third-most salary cap space in the NFL at approximately $83.5 million. That will enable the Chargers to make splash signings at several different positions if they want to.
Above all else may be getting, and staying, healthy. The Chargers were decimated by injuries last season to key players such as offensive tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, running backs Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton, linebacker Khalil Mack, and wide receiver/return specialist Derius Davis. If the Chargers can put their injury woes behind them and strengthen their roster during the offseason, they’ll have a legitimate shot at making a Super Bowl run.
Nick Roesch Nick Roesch covers the NFL for Heavy Sports, with a focus on the Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, and Los Angeles Chargers. He previously covered the Chiefs for USA TODAY Sports’ Chiefs Wire, and all 32 NFL teams for A to Z Sports. Roesch’s career in sports media spans 10 years. More about Nick Roesch
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