The Bolts delivered some big-time news Wednesday night by agreeing to terms with Chris O’Leary to be the Chargers next Defensive Coordinator.
O'Leary isn't a stranger around here, as he was on Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh's staff in 2024 as the safeties coach.
O'Leary spent the 2025 season as Western Michigan's Defensive Coordinator and safeties coach, helping lead the Broncos to a 10-4 record with one of the stingiest defenses in the country.
Western Michigan ranked second in the Mid-American Conference in scoring defense (17.4 points per game), a mark that was also good for ninth in all the FBS.
And O'Leary's unit was also second in yards allowed per game (305.5) in the MAC and 19th in the country allowing 179.9 passing yards per game.
But don't think that one season away is what landed O'Leary this job.
In the lone year he was on staff, O'Leary was seen as a coach on the rise, with everyone from Derwin James to Elijah Molden to Tony Jefferson raving about the work he was doing in the secondary.
Remember, it was O'Leary who helped get Molden up to speed on the playbook when the safety was acquired in a trade just 10 days before the 2024 season opener.
The two spent hours and hours together — both in the facility and on the phone — in Molden's first days in powder blue so he could be ready to go.
Sure enough, Molden snagged a pick in Week 2 against the Panthers. And Molden also set career highs with three interceptions (3), seven passes defenses and two fumble recoveries in 2024.
The Chargers on Wednesday agreed to terms with Chris O'Leary to become their Defensive Coordinator.
The Chargers agreed to terms with Chris O'Leary to become their Defensive Coordinator.
The Chargers agreed to terms with Chris O'Leary to become their Defensive Coordinator.
The Chargers agreed to terms with Chris O'Leary to become their Defensive Coordinator.
The Chargers agreed to terms with Chris O'Leary to become their Defensive Coordinator.
The Chargers agreed to terms with Chris O'Leary to become their Defensive Coordinator.
The Chargers agreed to terms with Chris O'Leary to become their Defensive Coordinator.
The Chargers agreed to terms with Chris O'Leary to become their Defensive Coordinator.
The Chargers agreed to terms with Chris O'Leary to become their Defensive Coordinator.
The Chargers agreed to terms with Chris O'Leary to become their Defensive Coordinator.
The Chargers agreed to terms with Chris O'Leary to become their Defensive Coordinator.
The Chargers agreed to terms with Chris O'Leary to become their Defensive Coordinator.
The Chargers agreed to terms with Chris O'Leary to become their Defensive Coordinator.
The Chargers agreed to terms with Chris O'Leary to become their Defensive Coordinator.
The Chargers agreed to terms with Chris O'Leary to become their Defensive Coordinator.
The Chargers agreed to terms with Chris O'Leary to become their Defensive Coordinator.
The Chargers agreed to terms with Chris O'Leary to become their Defensive Coordinator.
The Chargers agreed to terms with Chris O'Leary to become their Defensive Coordinator.
O'Leary was also critical in James' resurgent 2024 season that saw the do-it-all safety earn All-Pro honors as he moved up in the box and played closer to the line of scrimmage.
O'Leary and James would work together on footwork and technique at the beginning of every practice. It led to James rediscovering his love for football.
"Even right now, I can't wait to come to work tomorrow," James told Chargers.com in December of 2024. "I'm having that much fun and it's exciting."
O'Leary played a key role in that resurgence of football passion for James.
O'Leary has 11 total seasons of coaching experience, only one of which came in the NFL.
But in a conversation with Chargers.com at the end of the 2024 season, it was clear he knew how to reach and impact players no matter what level he was at.
"I wouldn't say it's a lot different. It's football and it's finding ways to execute, finding ways to win games," O'Leary said. "The thing I've really enjoyed is just how hungry the players are on a day-in and day-out basis.
"There's not as much needed to poke and prod guys, they come ready to work every day for the last nine months. I've enjoyed that." O'Leary added.
Truth be told, that answer sounds a lot like something Jesse Minter would say.
Minter and O'Leary, by the way, had some overlap at the beginning of O'Leary's coaching career.
O'Leary was a graduate assistant at Georgia State in 2015 and 2016 when Minter was the school's defensive coordinator. The pair then linked up again in Southern California in 2024 when the Chargers led the league in points allowed per game (17.7).
O'Leary also spent six seasons at Notre Dame before landing with the Bolts.
Now, O'Leary will be tasked with maintaining the standard Minter — now the Ravens Head Coach — set the past two years.
But there's no reason to believe O'Leary won't succeed with the Bolts.
At the end of the 2024 season in that conversation with Chargers.com, O'Leary was asked about his coaching style on the field and in the meeting room.
His answer?
"My goal is to give the guys ownership," O'Leary said. "So, give the safeties ownership and try to motivate or inspire them to run with it and really become the leaders of the room.
"We've gotten to a point where I think they've really taken ownership of their success, their failures," O'Leary continued. "That will allow us to continue to ascend as the season goes. I would just say I lead them, but I try to take a step back and give them ownership of the room.
"Especially as they earn it and they can really take our room and our defense to great heights by themselves," O'Leary added. "I give them the tools, but I try to take a step back."
Take a look at the best photos from the Chargers 2025 campaign through the lens of manager of photography, Ty Nowell, seasonal photographer, Joaquin Torre, seasonal photographer, Cassandra Serrano, gameday photographers Noel Vasquez, Joey Hortiz, Katie Albertson and Jared Thomas.
Sliding to a W - The Chargers kicked off the regular season in São Paulo, Brazil and as most games against the Chiefs go, this one came down to the wire. On a crucial third down, Justin Herbert ran down the sideline, got the first down and punctuated it with a slide home to ice the game with the extra flair. It felt like he was looking right down the barrel of the lens as he secured the win.
Seatbelt - The Bolts defense put on a show in primetime at Allegiant Stadium with three interceptions on the night. After shutting the Raiders out of the endzone once again with a pass breakup that led to an interception, Derwin James, Jr. came strutting off the field, dropped his helmet and then hit the 'Seatbelt' celebration before Coach Jim Harbaugh came over and high-fived him. Shooting it wide really gives a chance to show the Chargers fans celebrating and taking over the Raiders house.
Flu Game - Another from Week 2 in Las Vegas, this one a storytelling image of a warrior that gave it his all. Daiyan Henley was feeling terrible and had doubts whether he would play with a bad illness. The result? A team-leading 10 tackles, a sack, an interception, two tackles for loss and two passes defensed. In the locker room huddle, he was clearly spent after leaving it all on the field. I got done shooting Derwin going around congratulating everyone and was exiting the back of the locker room to the hallway where we set up our gear at the stadium. I look to my left and see Daiyan flat on his back.
Full Extension - Another highlight play against a division foe, this one from an elevated angle on level 8 at SoFi Stadium. We usually stay in front of the offense, but shooting the reverse angle got Quentin Johnston's face as he snagged it over the outstretched arm of Riley Moss to get the Chargers near the goal line. Shooting from elevation always gives a unique look to a play.
Pinpoint Accuracy - The Justin Herbert-Keenan Allen connection was alive and well from the start. For as good as the catch from Allen was, the veteran receiver said watching the replay back, "He really didn't do nothing." Herbert simply put the ball only where he could get it, all while evading pressure and rolling to his left for the highlight throw. This was shot from the ADA section of the 100 level seats in the northwest corner of SoFi Stadium, a clear look at the perfect ball placement.
Moment of Reflection - A quiet moment for Donte Jackson ahead of Week 6 against the Dolphins. The visiting locker room in Miami is the one the Hurricanes use for their games, but the staff there has an LED sign for every NFL team to put up when they're using it and make it feel like home. Jackson takes some time to himself before padded warmups every game and this Sunday just happened to sit right under the bolt for his moment of reflection.
High Impact - It was an emerging year for Justin Eboigbe in Year 2 after playing just over 50 total snaps as a rookie. He made his presence felt not only on the defensive line but on special teams, as seen in this one. On kickoff coverage in the first quarter against the Dolphins, Eboigbe hit the returner so hard his mouthpiece flew out and I caught it in that split second. It was one of three special teams tackles he had on the day.
Letting the Emotion Flow - You're always looking for emotion in photos, and this one is a great example of why. After continuing the play and making himself available, Herbert found Ladd McConkey for the touchdown and the lead in the second half. McConkey, scoring his second score of the year at that point, was fired up and came right to the corner of the endzone, as the photo was framed up perfectly with the lens.
Primetime Group Photo - After RJ Mickens grabbed the first interception of his career in Week 8 against the Vikings, Daiyan Henley knew where to take him. Henley found Mickens following the play and pointed him towards the endzone, where I was standing and waving at them. We always have someone stationed in the endzone for these celebration photos, and waited until the whole squad got there. I took a couple tight also but liked this wide one best cause it showed the 'INTERCEPTION' graphic on the infinity screen, something you can only get at SoFi.
All in the Details - This close up shot came right before the Chargers kicked off in Week 9 against Tennessee. It was a quiet moment during the anthem as the players lined up on the sideline. This detail shot shows the cross on RJ's eye black, plus his hair.
A Powerful Moment - Another one from Nashville, this one an impactful moment as Henley was playing just hours after finding out his brother had passed away. He made his way into the backfield and grabbed Cam Ward for the sack, then dropping to his knees in prayer. A powerful moment on an emotional day.
In Focus - This was shot as the defensive backs were coming out of the locker room to huddle up before padded warmups ahead of Sunday Night Football against the Steelers. The slow shutter effect with the camera's shutter set to 1/10th of a second, creates the blurred lines and then popping the flash freezes the subject. It's something we shoot almost every game, so we just try to find a different way to capture it.
Bringing the Juice - It's not the typical Derwin pregame huddle shot with the full team, but during the defensive back huddle. The low angle gives a unique perspective as he looks down and pounds the football, bringing the energy. It gives you a sense of being in the middle of the action and shows the unique roof at SoFi as well.
Eyes on the Ball - Donte Jackson spent 2025 making plays on the ball, and Week 13 against the Raiders was no different. Following an interception in the endzone, Geno Smith threw a ball towards the sideline that Jackson was able to deflect into the air, giving Tony Jefferson just enough time to get under it and secure the interception. The photo catches the exact moment both players had a shot at the ball and shows the concentration on both their faces. It's the kind of thing you don't always see on TV, and is unique to photo.
An Isolated Walk - A very unique situation that's reserved only for overtime. Usually for a pregame coin toss the Chargers have six captains and they're walking alongside referees and a lot of different cameras. For the overtime toss, it was just Justin Herbert and Derwin James, the leaders of the offense and defense, walking to meet the Eagles captains. As the clock was winding down in regulation, I hustled over from the endzone to follow these two out.
Putting it on the Line - Broken hand? No problem. Playing just a week after suffering a broken bone in his left hand, Herbert put it all out there in the overtime win on Monday Night. Hand and all, the quarterback led the team in rushing on primetime, including this 12-yard run to open overtime where he used the left hand to stiff arm Reed Blankenship for the first down on the go-ahead drive. Maybe it was instinct, but Herbert is willing to do anything for the win.
Sending them Home - The Monday Night Football game against the Eagles brought a lot of memorable moments, but the one that ended the game might take the cake. Cam Hart's full extension pass breakup led to Tony Jefferson's game-ending interception in overtime, as the safety ran all the way across the field to celebrate. He even found some Eagles fans when he got to the corner, telling them to go home. You can see how laser-focused he was with the intensity on the veteran's face as his teammates around him are overjoyed.
The Emotions of Victory - One more from Week 14 courtesy of our remote camera on Level 3 at the 50-yard line at SoFi. Remotes allow us to get multiple angles of the same moment, and this is happening at the exact same time as the photo above. When it became apparent that Jefferson was going to celebrate towards me, I put the remote camera trigger on my short lens camera so the remote would fire any time I hit the shutter button. It's a cool moment that shows all the emotions of the ending — fans celebrating, others in disbelief and the 'Chargers Win' graphic on the Infinity Screen.
Derwin vs. Kelce- Derwin James against Travis Kelce has been a staple of the AFC West bout for years, with the latest incarnation coming on a play to seal a win for the Bolts, as James ran stride for stride with the tight end to grab the interception. With the game in the balance, I moved around the bench to shoot the defense tighter, and the pass came directly in line for the perfect shot. A lot of times in this situation, positioning is as important as anything.
A High-Five For the Postseason - There were a lot of chances for fun locker room shots this season with another year of 11 wins, but this was probably my favorite. It's become a tradition under Harbaugh for everyone to high five after a victory and after win No. 11 against the Cowboys essentially put them in the playoffs for a second-straight year, Daiyan Henley encapsulated the feeling in the room with pure joy finding Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter for the high-five.
A Special Bond - The specialists, Cameron Dicker, JK Scott and Josh Harris, always huddle up for a prayer before going out on the field. This photo shows the brotherhood of the position group that's been together for a number of seasons now ahead of the game against Houston. A lot of times, it feels like you're invading their personal space in shots like these but it can make impactful images.
Center of the Blur - Keeping it with the pregame shots ahead of the regular season home finale in Week 17. I'm always assigned to shoot the player intros from Level 2 and find different, unique ways to capture the moment. Here, it's shot at 1/6 of a second with a 10-stop neutral density filter on and panned as the exact speed Elijah Molden was running out. With the focus point on him, he stays in focus while the rest of the scene blurs out.
Blending Colors - Khalil Mack runs out last in home games where the defense is introduced, so as others were running out, I moved to the back of the tunnel where he was shrouded in the smoke that is pumped out for the intros. The pulsing light tubes had lit up gold against the team's Navy Super Chargers uniforms, and the fan in the background has the team's primary powder blue, making a good color contrast.
Under the Elements - The Bolts closed out 2025 with a rainy practice on New Year's Eve, an uncommon sight in Southern California. They had practiced at SoFi Stadium days before because of the rain but stayed outdoors for this one. As Donte Jackson tilts his head down, you can see every bead on his helmet, including the one dripping off the facemask at that exact moment.
Sticking Together - From Canton, Ohio to Brazil and all the way to Foxborough, Massachusetts, the Bolts experienced a lot as they traveled the most miles traveled in the NFL heading into the playoffs. And at every stop, Jim Harbaugh, Justin Herbert, Derwin James and Daiyan Henley always stood alongside one another during the National Anthem. It was no different as they prepared for their second-straight year in the postseason.
O'Leary will likely take a more hands-on approach now that he's in charge of the entire defense.
But the nucleus of the Chargers defense is intact heading into the 2026 season, with James, Molden, Tuli Tuipulotu, Daiyan Henley, Teair Tart and Donte Jackson among the headliners who are under contract going forward.
Harbaugh has nailed his recent defensive coordinator hires of late, whether it was Mike Macdonald in 2021 at Michigan or Minter in college and the pros.
The Chargers Head Coach has a keen eye for coaching talent, and there's a reason he and the Bolts front office wanted O'Leary back at The Bolt after just one year away.
Even though it's only late January, the 2026 season already looks promising for the Bolts.
Mike McDaniel is the Chargers Offensive Coordinator while O'Leary is now in charge of the Bolts defense.
Late in the 2024 season, with the postseason looming, O'Leary was asked about what could lie ahead.
"We like where we're heading and we feel like we still got a lot to prove. That's where my mind is at," O'Leary told Chargers.com.
He'd probably give the same answer now that he's the new Chargers Defensive Coordinator.
