The Chargers have reportedly added a new member to Chris O'Leary's defensive staff. Jordan Schultz and CBS Sports Matt Zenitz have both reported that Western Michigan's Sean Spence will take over as LBs coach. Spence will step in for NaVorro Bowman.
At the Chargers' season-ending presser last month, GM Joe Hortiz announced that Bowman resigned from the staff to help his son's basketball career.
Spence coached Western Michigan's linebackers in 2024 before coaching the EDGE group last season. He helped develop 2026 NFL Draft prospect Nadame Tucker in his breakout collegiate season. Tucker had 61 pressures, 14.5 sacks, and 21 run stops in 2025. Defensively under O'Leary and Spence, Western Michigan jumped from 108th in 2024 total defense to 14th this past season.
Nadame Tucker smoke grows even thicker for the Chargers
Spence played in the NFL for six seasons at LB after getting drafted in the third round by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was a first-team All-ACC LB in 2011 and a second-team in 2010.
The key draft speculation point that will be discussed as a result of the Spence and O'Leary hires is Nadame Tucker. Tucker currently projects as a day three designated pass rusher that could bring some energy to the Chargers EDGE room. He is one of the older rookies in the class as he'll turn 26 before the season. But his JUCO and FBS collegiate experience clearly contributed to his breakout season in 2025.
Tucker is on the smaller side of pass rushers, hence why he won't go particularly early in the draft. But he turned heads at the Senior Bowl with a quality pass rush bag and great first step.
Chargers Wire and Guilty as Charged Contributor Alex Katson caught up with Tucker at the Senior Bowl when O'Leary was hired.
"That's my guy right there man," Tucker said of O'Leary. "Ain't too much to say about that, man. I'm happy for him and his family. He deserves it. He put together a beautiful thing and I was a part of it. And just being able to play in his defense and that technique, the arm technique, being able to briefly set the edge and fold back inside. Just playing freely."
"He's seen me more as Khalil Mack in his defense," Tucker told Katson. "I was able to hold my bargain and come up with 14.5 sacks or whatever and play violent. That's it. Play disruptive. That's what Coach O'Leary viewed me as in his defense."
For the Chargers, Tucker won't need to be Mack in O'Leary's defense. But he has an ability to contribute on 3rd and 4th downs as a situational pass rusher to fill out the depth chart. The Chargers will be looking for EDGE3-5 players that can contribute with Bud Dupree losing his spot in the rotation down the stretch last season. Kyle Kennard didn't play much as he took his time to develop in 2025.
Chargers DT Jamaree Caldwell holds Tucker in high regard. Both played at Houston together. In a response to my post on social media, Caldwell said this:
‘dame been a dawg since I’ve met him , just needed a chance to prove it to everyone…. Was amazed when I first seen him in Juco
— Ja’Maree Caldwell / Ⓜ️aree (@Maree803) February 14, 2026
Tucker could be a good fit for a Chargers defense that's always looking for more pass rush juice. O'Leary and Spence coming over to Harbaugh's defensive staff certainly fans the flames of interest and draft rumors.