The Chargers are wasting no time reshaping their coaching staff under Jim Harbaugh, and the overhaul is starting to take on a distinctly Miami flavor.
With Mike McDaniel officially in as offensive coordinator, the Chargers are now bringing in more familiar faces from his Dolphins tenure. The latest addition: offensive line coach Butch Barry, who spent the past three seasons in Miami maximizing a unit that had more than its share of challenges - and came out better for it.
Barry now inherits a Chargers offensive line with plenty of potential but also a few question marks. Joe Alt, the promising left tackle, is working his way back from a season-ending ankle injury.
On the other side, Rashawn Slater is also aiming to return to form after a torn patellar tendon. If Barry can get both of them back to full strength and playing at a high level, the Chargers’ protection unit could become one of the more formidable groups in the AFC.
And let’s not overlook the quarterback this group will be protecting. Justin Herbert is reportedly “geeked” about the new offensive system McDaniel is bringing to town - and for good reason. McDaniel’s creative, motion-heavy approach helped unlock Miami’s explosive offense, and pairing that with Herbert’s arm talent could be the spark the Chargers need to take the next step.
But the staff buildout isn’t stopping on offense.
On the defensive side, the Chargers have brought back a familiar face in Chris O’Leary. After working with Jesse Minter’s staff in 2024 as the safeties coach, O’Leary spent last season as the defensive coordinator at Western Michigan. Now, he returns to L.A. to help steer the defense into a new era.
With both coordinator spots now filled - McDaniel on offense and O’Leary stepping into a key defensive role - Harbaugh is putting his stamp on this team quickly and decisively. The Chargers also addressed the vacancy at offensive line coach, moving on from Mike Devlin, who, along with former OC Greg Roman, was let go following the team’s early playoff exit at the hands of the eventual AFC champion New England Patriots.
It’s clear Harbaugh is building a staff with a blend of NFL experience and system familiarity - coaches who know what it takes to win and how to get the most out of their players. For a Chargers team looking to rebound and finally break through in the postseason, this is a foundation that could pay off in a big way.