The Chargers are wasting no time reshaping their coaching staff under Jim Harbaugh - and the pieces are starting to fall into place in a big way. With Mike McDaniel officially on board as offensive coordinator, Los Angeles is now building out a brain trust that has strong ties to McDaniel’s Miami tenure, and it’s already starting to show.
The latest move? Butch Barry is coming west to take over as offensive line coach.
Barry spent the last three seasons coaching the Dolphins’ O-line under McDaniel, helping to maximize a unit that was critical to Miami’s explosive offense. Now, he’s reuniting with McDaniel in L.A., and the timing couldn’t be better.
Barry walks into a room with serious potential - and serious question marks. He’ll be tasked with developing rookie left tackle Joe Alt, who’s working his way back from a season-ending ankle injury, and helping Rashawn Slater return to form after a torn patellar tendon. If those two can get healthy and Barry can work his magic, this offensive line could become a real strength for the Chargers.
Of course, the biggest beneficiary of all this? Justin Herbert.
The franchise quarterback is reportedly fired up about the new direction, and it’s not hard to see why. With McDaniel dialing up plays and Barry building up the trenches, Herbert could be looking at the most quarterback-friendly setup he’s had since arriving in the league.
But the offensive side of the ball isn’t the only area getting a facelift.
On the defensive front, the Chargers have found their replacement for Jesse Minter, who left a sizable hole after his departure. Chris O’Leary is stepping in to fill that role, returning to L.A. after a year away. O’Leary previously worked under Minter in 2024 as the team’s safeties coach, and in 2025 he took on defensive coordinator duties at Western Michigan in the MAC.
That MAC experience gave O’Leary a taste of running an entire defense - and now he brings that perspective back to the NFL. His familiarity with Harbaugh’s system and the Chargers’ personnel gives him a head start as he steps into a bigger role.
So, to recap: Harbaugh now has both coordinator spots locked in, with McDaniel running the offense and O’Leary taking over on defense. He’s also filled a key position coach role with Barry stepping in for former offensive line coach Mike Devlin, who, along with ex-OC Greg Roman, was let go after the Chargers' early playoff exit at the hands of the eventual AFC champion New England Patriots.
This is a new era in Los Angeles - and it’s starting to take shape with a clear identity. Harbaugh is surrounding himself with coaches who know his style, know the system, and know how to develop talent. The Chargers aren’t just filling vacancies - they’re building a foundation.