Chargers' DC Vacancy Was Listed Amongst Best Available in NFL

The Los Angeles Chargers are in the process of major changes. Replacing two coordinators in a single offseason isn't an easy task, but Jim Harbaugh has already gotten to work. After firing Greg Roman, the Bolts hired former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel in his place.

It'll be difficult to replace Minter's presence, as he had the defense playing at a high level at all times.

Alas, the Chargers got that process rolling with the hire of Chris O'Leary as their next defensive coordinator.

When ranking the top available coordinator jobs in the NFL, Benjamin Solak and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN listed the Chargers' at No. 3.

Chargers DC job ranked 3rd best in NFL

"This job is a tricky one," Solak wrote. "The personnel is very suited to the Minter/Baltimore style of defense, so the job isn't a fit for anyone without major personnel overhaul. But with coach Jim Harbaugh running the team and an elite quarterback in Justin Herbert, it's a spot where strong coaching can lead to winning and future promotion -- as shown by Minter himself."

Jeremy Fowler listed Anthony Weaver and Jim Leonhard as potential candidates. He also named Dennard Wilson and Daronte Jones before they were hired for the Giants and Washington Commanders' DC jobs, respectively.

The Chargers had interviewed Wilson for the job.

So far, Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers have interviewed the following names:

Steve Clinkscale
Adam Fuller
Dylan Roney
Aubrey Pleasant
Zach Orr
Dennard Wilson
Jim Leonard

we’ve completed an interview with Chris O’Leary for defensive coordinator pic.twitter.com/p9lFggbafq
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) January 29, 2026

The Chargers looked to pick the best name before going to free agency with big names like Khalil Mack and Odafe Oweh scheduled to hit the open market. They got out in front of this by signing Teair Tart to a three-year extension.

For the Chargers, the 10 head-coaching openings around the NFL probably made finding a top defensive coordinator a tougher task than normal.

Good thing it was one of the best openings out there, at least.

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