Notre Dame Assistant Chris O’Leary Joins Los Angeles Chargers Staff under Jim Harbaugh
Amidst the NFL coaching carousel, Notre Dame safeties coach Chris O’Leary has made the decision to turn pro. O’Leary will be joining the Los Angeles Chargers staff under Jim Harbaugh, reuniting with defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. This move may have future implications for the Notre Dame program.
O’Leary and Minter have a history of coaching together, previously working together at Georgia State. Additionally, O’Leary played at Indiana State during Minter’s time as an assistant in Terre Haute. Their familiarity and previous success together make them a formidable coaching duo.
Notre Dame was reportedly willing to match the NFL offer to keep O’Leary on their staff. However, O’Leary desired a chance to coach at the professional level. The opportunity to work with the Chargers was too enticing for O’Leary to pass up.
O’Leary’s departure from Notre Dame may not be the last on the coaching staff as the NFL coaching carousel continues after the Super Bowl. However, Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame’s head coach, appears ready to handle any further changes.
With O’Leary leaving, Notre Dame may promote graduate assistant Max Bullough to full-time linebackers coach. This would free up Mike Mickens to take on a greater role in coaching the secondary. It would also allow defensive coordinator Al Golden to potentially float among positions.
Notre Dame’s defensive staff nearly experienced a shakeup when Boston College interviewed defensive line coach Al Washington for its head coaching position. However, Bill O’Brien ultimately secured the position. Bullough, who played for O’Brien with the Houston Texans and Alabama, could have been a target to join O’Brien’s staff.
Losing O’Leary will undoubtedly be a blow for Notre Dame. Despite being relatively unknown when he was promoted from graduate assistant to full-time coach, O’Leary quickly established himself as a valuable asset. He developed a strong rapport with All-American Kyle Hamilton, who was drafted by the Ravens in the first round two years ago.
In addition to his work with Hamilton, O’Leary played a significant role in the development of other players. He helped transform Xavier Watts from a former wide receiver to a Nagurski Trophy winner. Watts led the nation in interceptions, contributing to Notre Dame’s top-ranked pass defense. O’Leary also played a part in coaching Butkus Award winner Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.
O’Leary’s impact extended beyond player development. He successfully recruited talented players from the transfer portal, such as Thomas Harper, Jordan Clark, and Rod Heard II. The safety position he leaves behind will be stronger than when he inherited it.
O’Leary’s coaching journey has been a story of personal development. He began at Florida Tech and has now landed a position with the Los Angeles Chargers. In between, he had two College Football Playoff experiences with Notre Dame.
While Notre Dame will certainly miss O’Leary, they already have a plan in place to replace him. The program has shown resilience and adaptability in the face of coaching changes in the past, and they are prepared to continue their success moving forward.
In conclusion, Chris O’Leary’s decision to join the Los Angeles Chargers has implications for both Notre Dame and the NFL. O’Leary’s departure leaves a void in Notre Dame’s coaching staff, but the program is prepared to make adjustments and continue their success. O’Leary’s impact on player development and recruiting will be missed, but his contributions have left a lasting impression on the Notre Dame football program.