Building a dream LA Chargers coaching staff full of former players

LA Chargers dream defensive coaches

Defensive line coach: Leslie O’Neal 

Leslie O’Neal is one of the most overlooked players in franchise history as well as NFL history. O’Neal is the all-time franchise leader in sacks and is one of the best defensive linemen in NFL history that you never hear about.

O’Neal played 13 years in the league, nine of which were with the Chargers, and recorded 132.5 total career sacks. 105.5 of those sacks were as a member of the Chargers.

O’Neal should arguably be in the Hall of Fame but unfortunately, he is not.

Linebackers coach: Billy Ray Smith Jr. 

Seau would be perfect for this role but he cannot be the defensive coordinator and the linebackers coach at the same time. There were a lot of great outside linebackers that played for the Chargers but we are looking for someone who primarily played on the inside.

That is Billy Ray Smith, who is probably the best man for this job with those parameters. While he never made a Pro Bowl, he did play in 126 games for the Chargers,

Defensive backs coach: Gill Byrd 

Gill Byrd is perhaps the most accomplished defensive back in team history and is already a coach. Byrd has spent time with various different NFL teams and is currently the defensive backs coach for the University of Illinois.

Quentin Jammer is a very close second for defensive backs coach but the ceiling was higher with Byrd and him having coaching experience made it an easier selection.

What do you think of our dream LA Chargers coaching staff with former players? Let us know in the comments down below!