{"id":730256,"date":"2026-02-05T02:42:43","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T02:42:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/730256\/"},"modified":"2026-02-05T02:42:43","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T02:42:43","slug":"chargers-dc-chris-oleary-says-early-player-support-confirmed-he-made-the-right-choice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/730256\/","title":{"rendered":"Chargers DC Chris O\u2019Leary Says Early Player Support Confirmed He Made the Right Choice"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Los<\/p>\n

Los Angeles Chargers safeties coach Chris O’Leary runs with the team in 2024.<\/p>\n

Chris O\u2019Leary is back with the Los Angeles Chargers after spending a season as defensive coordinator at Western Michigan. O\u2019Leary was the Chargers\u2019 safeties coach during the 2024 season, so he has experience working with multiple current Chargers players.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

After the Chargers announced the franchise had agreed to terms with O\u2019Leary to be defensive coordinator, several Chargers players expressed their excitement on social media.<\/p>\n

Derwin James Jr., Daiyan Henley, Elijah Molden, Tarheeb Still and Tony Jefferson were among many players that showed support for O\u2019Leary taking on the defensive coordinator role.<\/p>\n

O\u2019Leary admitted it was difficult for him to leave Western Michigan. But in his introductory press conference on Tuesday, O\u2019Leary told reporters the support from players makes him believe he made the right choice coming back to the Chargers.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was just the calls and texts from those guys that really solidified for me, \u2018Man, I\u2019m making the right decision,’\u201d O\u2019Leary said, per the team\u2019s official website<\/a>. \u201cPeople can say what they want about levels and all that but leaving a place you pour your heart and soul into and you have special relationships with the kids and the staff, it\u2019s hard.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo when I took this job, that was the most challenging part, it was leaving there,\u201d O\u2019Leary added. \u201cBut hearing those calls, it was guys I had a similar conversation with a year ago. There was no hesitation, no second guessing and it made it really special.\u201d<\/p>\n

O\u2019Leary told reporters he continued to implement things he learned from the Chargers into Western Michigan\u2019s defense. Therefore, he is also familiar with how the Bolts run their defense.<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"Los<\/p>\n

Los Angeles Chargers safeties coach Chris O’Leary runs with the team in 2024.<\/p>\n

Multiple Chargers Players Are Excited for O\u2019Leary\u2019s Return<\/p>\n

In addition to expressing his excitement on social media, Jefferson predicted O\u2019Leary would eventually become an NFL defensive coordinator last year. In an interview with NFL insider Ari Meirov, Jefferson said O\u2019Leary is one of his \u201cfavorite day-to-day coaches\u201d.<\/p>\n

#Chargers<\/a> fans: Tony Jefferson told me LAST YEAR that Chris O\u2019Leary would be a future DC in the NFL \u2026 and he\u2019s now the #Chargers<\/a> DC.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m older than him. He\u2019s up there as one of my favorite day-to-day coaches. I\u2019ve been taught so much safety stuff from him, even though I\u2019ve\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/dQLAExtACa<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 29, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

O\u2019Leary also told reporters that James was one of the first to call him when he took the job.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Derwin James called me as I was taking the job. It was fast,\u201d O\u2019Leary said. \u201cAll of those guys, just to hear their excitement and know I feel the same way, made it special.\u201d<\/p>\n

O\u2019Leary\u2019s familiarity with the players will be a big advantage for him in his first season as an NFL defensive coordinator. He will be replacing former defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, who took a head coaching job with the Baltimore Ravens<\/a> in January.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Photo Credit: Mike Nowak\/ Los Angeles Chargers<\/p>\n

The post Chargers DC Chris O\u2019Leary Says Early Player Support Confirmed He Made the Right Choice<\/a> appeared first on LA Sports Report<\/a>.<\/p>\n