Mike Hiestand returns to the Chargers for a fifth season in 2026, his first year as defensive run game specialist. He began his time with Los Angeles as an offensive assistant in 2022, moving to front seven specialist in 2023 before then transitioning to defensive assistant for the last two years (2024-25).
Hiestand worked with the linebackers in 2025, helping the Bolts rank No. 5 in the NFL in both total defense (285.2 total net yards allowed per game) and passing defense (179.9 net passing yards allowed per game). The unit was also among football's most clutch, ranking inside the top five on third down (fifth) and in the red zone (fourth). Hiestand totaled a team-high 101 tackles and career-best 3.5 sacks, marking his second-straight season eclipsing the century mark.
In 2024, Hiestand contributed on a defensive staff that coached the NFL's best scoring defense, allowing just 17.7 points per game. The Bolts also were the best in the NFL in the red zone, allowing touchdowns on just 45.0 percent of red zone drives. Hiestand worked hand-in-hand with Linebackers Coach NaVorro Bowman to tutor the position, helping Henley total 142 tackles, ranking No. 11 among all NFL players. Henley's 142 stops led the team and were the seventh-most in a single season by a Charger since 2000. His season featured a league-best nine games with 10-plus tackles, including six consecutive games with double-digit stops. Henley's streak of six games of at least 10 tackles led the NFL in 2024 and was the longest streak by a Charger since the turn of the century.
Hiestand returned to the defensive side of the ball as a front seven specialist in 2023, focusing his efforts on assisting with the linebackers. He helped both Eric Kendricks (117) and Kenneth Murray Jr., (107) top 100 tackles on the season. The campaign marked the eighth-consecutive 100-tackle season for Kendricks, the NFL's second-longest active streak. Murray was one of just six NFL players in 2023 to record at least 100 tackles, three sacks, an interception and six tackles for loss.
As an offensive assistant for the Bolts in 2022, Hiestand primarily worked with the offensive line and tight ends. He helped Offensive Line Coach Brendan Nugent and Assistant Offensive Line Coach Shaun Sarrett onboard tackle Foster Sarell and rookie offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer to make starts for the NFL's No. 3 passing offense. Hiestand also worked with Tight Ends Coach Kevin Koger to help the tight ends combine for 83 receptions on the season, the 10th-most by a single tight ends group in the NFL in 2022.
Hiestand joins the staff after three seasons in a support role with the Denver Broncos, contributing to the defensive coaching staff's operation while also serving as assistant to then-Head Coach Vic Fangio. Over his three years in Denver, the Broncos owned the league's top-ranked red zone defense (45.6 pct.) and allowed a rate of just 20.4 points per game, ranking seventh-best in the NFL.
Before his time in the Mile High City, Hiestand coached seven seasons in the collegiate ranks, which was capped by a three-year run as defensive coordinator at Ave Maria University (2016-18). In his final season directing the defense, Ave Maria totaled the most sacks (28) and registered the best points allowed rate (23.5 points per game) in a single season in program history, helping the Gyrenes capture the Sun Conference title. Hiestand's unit produced four first-team All-Conference selections following the season.
Hiestand spent two seasons as a defensive graduate assistant at the University of Notre Dame (2014-15), primarily working with the defensive line after holding roles as a graduate assistant at Florida International University in 2013 and Miami (Ohio) University in 2012, working with the defense and special teams.
The Mundelein, Ill., native played linebacker for Illinois State University, graduating in 2011. Hiestand is married to his wife, Emily, and the couple has two daughters, Winnie and Daisy. His father, Harry, retired in February 2023 after a 40-year coaching career, including seven seasons as an NFL coach with the Chicago Bears.
