The Chargers recently announced that Sean Spence has joined the coaching staff as the linebackers coach.
Here are five things to know about Spence:
1. Reuniting with O'Leary
Spence is making the jump to the NFL under the same defensive coordinator he was with just a year ago.
The new linebackers coach reunites with Chris O’Leary as he spent 2025 as the pass rush specialist and defensive ends coach for Western Michigan.
Spence helped O'Leary with the turnaround of the defensive unit that finished rank No. 9 in the FBS and second in the MAC in scoring defense (17.4 points allowed per game).
They were also the MAC's second-best unit in total net yards allowed per game (305.5), which ranked 19th in the nation.
2. Former NFL LB
Spence is slated to be a first-year NFL coach but isn't new to the league.
A third-round pick (No. 86 overall) by the Steelers in the 2012 NFL Draft, he's a former NFL linebacker that spent a number of seasons in the league.
Aside from his time with the Steelers he spent time with the Titans and Colts as well, last playing back in Pittsburgh during the 2017 season.
He finished his career playing in 53 total games (23 starts) and totaled 163 tackles (111 solo), 6.0 sacks, 10 tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
3. Getting started as coach
Spence's coaching career got going some seasons ago.
He got his start at Western Michigan in 2023 as their special teams analyst, a position he held for a season before being elevated to linebackers coach the following season.
And when O'Leary took over as defensive coordinator last season, he made another switch to defensive ends coach.
4. ACC standout
Prior to his NFL playing career, the former linebacker was a standout for the Miami Hurricanes.
Spence became a starter as a true freshman at Miami, earning ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2008.
He would go on to be an impactful player for the middle of the university's defense and earned two All-ACC nods including a first team honor in 2011.
5. Current position room
Spence now joins a Chargers linebacker room that has some intriguing talent.
It's led by Daiyan Henley, who has enjoyed back-to-back seasons as the key member of the Chargers linebacker core. He led the team in tackles both years while starting 33 games and has displayed high-level play in the middle of an impressive Bolts defense.
Others under contract heading into 2026 include Troy Dye, a veteran who has filled in when needed over the past two seasons, and Junior Colson, a 2024 Chargers third-round pick that has battled injuries over his first two years.
Not to mention Marlowe Wax, an undrafted free agent last season that earned a spot on the 53-man roster after a stellar preseason and was impactful on special teams.
