New Chargers defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary had his introductory press conference at The Bolt on Tuesday. It's been a whirlwind for Los Angeles as they've had to replace both coordinators this offseason. But with the dust finally starting to settle, the Chargers are looking to build towards the future. For O'Leary, the work now turns to finishing what Jesse Minter started.
Despite leaving last offseason for Western Michigan, the Chargers DC clearly kept in touch with the franchise. He mentioned talking to Minter and players in the building last season. After Minter left to take the Ravens job, O'Leary was in contact with Chargers GM Joe Hortiz to set up an interview.
"When he (Minter) took the Baltimore job I talked to Joe and talked to some other people, went through the interview process and it happened pretty quick," O'Leary said of the timeline that resulted in him becoming DC.
New Chargers DC Chris O'Leary wants to finish building what Jesse Minter started.
O'Leary was in part responsible for building out the defense that was coordinated by Minter in 2024. While he was just the safeties coach, he played a critical role in getting the secondary to understand the terminology and structure of the defense. The Athletic's Daniel Popper wrote about how O'Leary was crucial for S Elijah Molden after his trade to the Chargers from the Titans. Marcus Maye's interception against the Falcons less than a week after he was signed in 2024 was another example of the former Western Michigan DC simplifying the scheme.
O'Leary talked about his vision for the defense:
"The two things we're going to focus on, number one we're going to elevate what we do well. The foundation of our defense, we're going to elevate that. We're going to do what we do it better. The second thing we're going to do is we're going to evolve the defense. We're going to add things, we're going to tailor things to the players, the personnel that we have going into the season. We're really focused on taking what we built and the foundation that's laid and taking it to another level."
Another way O'Leary will look to continue maximizing the scheme is by working with S Derwin James. After two back to back second-team All Pro selections under Minter, James is sitting a different position as a franchise cornerstone compared to the end of the Brandon Staley era. O’Leary said that James is one of his favorite players he’s ever coached. On how to elevate the superstar safety, the new DC had this to say:
"Attention to detail. Like being better at what he already does,” O’Leary said. ”That's time on task, that's watching film, that's making sure we all speak the same language. Between the coaches that are in the room, myself, him-just really streamlining his mindset and his process. To me, he's the best version of himself when there's clarity. And we always say, clarity equals velocity. And so if we give him more clarity, he's gonna play faster."
From the two quotes above, it should be clear that O’Leary doesn’t simply plan on running the Minter gameplan back. He’s here to take what Minter started over the finish line for a Super Bowl title. He said as much himself in the presser. A lot of core Minter principles and scheme will be involved in that effort. But O’Leary will have to be the best version of himself if the Chargers are going to get the job done.