Safeties Coach Chris O'Leary Is Leaving Notre Dame For The Los Angeles Chargers

Notre Dame is going to need a new safeties coach, as Irish Breakdown has confirmed with a source that safeties coach Chris O'Leary is leaving for the Los Angeles Chargers. It marks the second straight offseason that Notre Dame is losing a coach to the NFL, with O'Leary following Brian Mason, who left for the Indianapolis Colts a year ago.

O'Leary was hired hired as safeties coach in 2021 in large part to Marcus Freeman recommending him after interviewing several candidates. He previously served as an analyst and graduate assistant with the Irish. Freeman kept O'Leary on staff when he was promoted to head coach following that season. Despite struggles on the recruiting trail early on, O'Leary established himself as quality position coach during his three seasons.

O'Leary played a key role in helping Xavier Watts make the transition to safety after beginning his career at wide receiver. Watts broke out in 2023, earning unanimous All-America honors after leading the nation with seven interceptions. O'Leary also coached Kyle Hamilton during his All-American season in 2021.

Until now the Irish defensive staff had remained in tact, with defensive coordinator Al Golden, cornerbacks coach Mike Mickens and defensive line coach Al Washington all still with the program.

O'Leary is the third full-time assistant coach to leave the program, with Gerad Parker getting the head coaching job at Troy this offseason and wide receivers coach Chansi Stuckey being let go following the regular season.

Harbaugh took over the Chargers job this offseason after leading Michigan to a national title. He took several Michigan staffers with him, including former Notre Dame defensive line coach Mike Elston.