Los Angeles Chargers fans went into this offseason thinking the team was safe from losing any of their coordinators, but unfortunately, they've lost one before the month of January is over. Pete Thamel reported that Chargers safeties coach Chris O'Leary has accepted the defensive coordinator position with Western Michigan.
This is a massive loss for the Chargers, as O'Leary worked wonders with the rotating door of safeties for the team this season. Chargers fans saw a variety of players take snaps at safety this season including Derwin James, Alohi Gilman, Tony Jefferson, Marcus Maye, and AJ Finley and O'Leary was able to get high production from whoever was playing safety.
This is great for O'Leary, who now will head to the college ranks and serve in a defensive coordinator role. It's still hard for Chargers fans to stomach though considering how crucial he was for the safety position last year.
Chargers suffer massive blow with Chris O'Leary departure
The question now becomes who could replace O'Leary? A name that could make sense for Los Angeles as they look to fill some very important shoes is Chris Hewitt, who departed Baltimore this offseason. Hewitt has connections to Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, as the two worked together in Baltimore so this move could be the perfect replacement option.
Hewitt wore a few different hats during his time in Baltimore including defensive backs coach, secondary coach, and pass defense coordinator. He'd be the perfect option to add to Minter's defense after the unit lost a key member of the coaching staff.
The Chargers have been fortunate not to have their coaching staff gutted but the downside to being good is that eventually, other teams will come calling for people on their staff. O'Leary's absence will be a big one but hopefully the organization can bring someone like Hewitt in to help soften the blow.