It didn't take long for word to spread about Chris O’Leary.

Just as O'Leary became the Chargers new Defensive Coordinator, the support kept pouring in – only building his excitement for what he called a 'once in a lifetime opportunity.'

"I think Derwin [James] called me as I was taking the job. It was fast," O'Leary said on Tuesday. "All of those guys, just to hear their excitement and know I feel the same way, made it special."

The Chargers new defensive playcaller was officially introduced Tuesday at The Bolt and spoke with the media for over for the first time since returning the team in his new role.

O'Leary saw an ample amount of success in his lone season calling the plays at Western Michigan, helping their defensive unit to rank No. 9 in the FBS and second in the Mid-American Conference in scoring defense (17.4 points allowed per game).

Coming off a season that successful, he said he passed on other coaching opportunities.

But when the chance to join the Chargers came up, relationships not only with the players, but with everyone on board, was the difference maker in his decision.

"From players calling me and reaching out to the staff, to the personnel department, those relationships that are really genuine and meaningful to me, that made it a no brainer," O'Leary said.

He later added: "They're elite competitors, and that's from coaches, front office, the players, they demand your best and they demand excellence. For me, walking into that environment every day is really what drives me."

Since he was announced as the newest leader of the Bolts defense, there's been a buzz among the unit.

A number of players including James, Daiyan Henley, Elijah Molden, Tarheeb Still, Tony Jefferson and many more, immediately took to social media to voice their excitement about the move.

The response from the players is something that meant a lot to him and made the move that much easier.

"It was just the calls and texts from those guys that really solidified for me, 'Man, I'm making the right decision,'" O'Leary said. "People 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's hard.

"So when I took this job, that was the most challenging part, it was leaving there," O'Leary added. "But 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."

Even away from the team in 2025, O'Leary said he kept tabs on the team from his defensive coordinator chair at Western Michigan.

In fact, he said he would watch the Bolts game tape every week to show to his players, and it helped him keep updated with some of the things they were doing.

"After games I would break them down… I would put our terminology at Western Michigan, I would put it in there, tag plays then show our guys Thursday, Friday as we got closer to the game, we would show them, 'This is what we're doing, watch the guys at the highest level do it,' O'Leary said.

"There's a lot of comparison there and for me, it kept me sharp and it helped our team where I was at, elevate as well," O'Leary added.

The Chargers defense, of course, put together another strong season as one of the NFL's best, and O'Leary named a couple who stood out to him when watching the film.

"I think there's a lot of really good personnel," O'Leary said. "[Odafe] Oweh flashed … there's certain guys on this defense that have really interesting skillsets. I think Elijah, Derwin, Cam [Hart], Khalil [Mack] … all those guys are still playing at really high levels. Daiyan [Henley].

"I just think there's a lot of pieces we're really going to be able to work with and develop their game," he added. "When I watched them, I had a similar feel to when I was here. It's kind of the same guys just doing what they do."

Not to mention James, who has earned two straight Second-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors, and with whom O'Leary worked with closely as his position coach in 2024.

"Every single day, you win, you lose, whatever … he's the ultimate competitor," O'Leary said. "Spending the year I did with him here — I hate saying favorites — but one of my favorite players I've ever worked with and coached because of how contagious his energy is and how great he wants to be.

"I can't put it into words and I'm ready to get started right now," O'Leary added.

The defensive personnel has changed some from when O'Leary was with the team a pair of years ago but the confidence remains he can evolve the elite play the defense has shown.

He's fired up and ready to get to work and take it to the next level.

"I think, as a coach, you operate with a certain level of respect, accountability, demand on the players," O'Leary said. "When you transition roles from a position coach to a coordinator, there's not a lot that changes as far as your interactions with them.

"I think all the guys here see me as a coach, see me as a guy that's going to push them and elevate them and rally pull the most out of them," O'Leary continued. "Again, as a player, that's what you want."

He later added: "We're really focused on taking what we built and the foundation that's laid and taking it to another level."