The Los Angeles Chargers are bolstering their defensive coaching staff with a familiar face to new defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary. Former Miami Hurricanes linebacker Sean Spence has been finalized as the Chargers’ inside linebackers coach, according to reports from CBS Sports and multiple outlets. The move reunites Spence with O’Leary, with whom he worked at Western Michigan University, and adds a coach with both NFL playing experience and a recent track record of developing pass rushers.
Spence’s hiring fills a vacancy left by NaVorro Bowman, who stepped down to focus on his family, including his son’s burgeoning basketball career. The Chargers are hoping Spence can replicate some of the success he had at Western Michigan, where he coached the defensive ends and pass rushers. That unit was led by Nadame Tucker, who finished the 2025 season with a nation-leading 14.5 sacks and was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Year.
The #Chargers have finalized the hiring of Western Michigan defensive ends coach/pass rush specialist Sean Spence, sources tell @CBSSports.
The former Miami and NFL linebacker worked with new Chargers DC Chris O’Leary at WMU and helped the team rank among the nation’s best… pic.twitter.com/6BDt5nwxYb
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) February 13, 2026
From Miami Standout to NFL Coach
Spence’s journey to the Chargers’ sideline began in Miami, where he starred as a linebacker for the Hurricanes from 2008 to 2011. A Miami native, Spence quickly made an impact, earning ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2008. He continued to excel, becoming a first-team All-ACC selection later in his college career. His freshman season included 65 tackles, and 9.5 tackles for loss, highlighted by an interception returned for a touchdown against Florida State.
He continued to be a productive force, recording 36 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss in 2009, despite missing some time due to injury. Spence’s breakout year came in 2010, when he tallied 111 tackles and 16 tackles for loss. He capped off his collegiate career as a team captain in 2011, adding another 106 tackles and 14 tackles for loss.
NFL Career and Coaching Beginnings
In 2012, Spence was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round (No. 86 overall). He went on to play 53 games in the NFL, totaling 154 tackles and 6 sacks across stints with the Steelers, Tennessee Titans, and Indianapolis Colts. His most productive seasons came in 2014 with Pittsburgh (51 tackles, 1 sack in 16 games) and in 2016 with Tennessee (51 tackles, 3 sacks in 15 games).
After his playing career concluded, Spence transitioned to coaching, beginning his journey at Western Michigan in 2023 as an analyst before coaching linebackers in 2024. He then moved to coaching the defensive ends and pass rushers, where he helped develop Tucker into one of the nation’s top sack artists.
O’Leary’s Influence and Defensive Philosophy
Spence’s arrival in Los Angeles is directly tied to the hiring of Chris O’Leary as the Chargers’ new defensive coordinator. O’Leary, who previously coached at Western Michigan, turned the Broncos into a defensive powerhouse in 2025, ranking ninth nationally in scoring defense at 17.4 points per game. Western Michigan’s success under O’Leary was built on an aggressive, attacking style of defense that prioritized getting after the quarterback.
O’Leary replaced Jesse Minter, who departed to become the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens. O’Leary’s familiarity with the Chargers’ system, having previously served as a safeties coach for the team in 2024, is expected to facilitate a smooth transition. He installed the same defense with minor nuances taken from Notre Dame at Western Michigan.
The Chargers are banking on Spence’s experience and his connection with O’Leary to elevate the performance of their linebackers and contribute to a more formidable defense. The team will begin offseason workouts in the coming weeks, providing an early opportunity for Spence to implement his coaching techniques and build relationships with his players.
The Chargers will continue to finalize their coaching staff in the coming weeks, with further announcements expected as they prepare for the 2026 season. The team’s next major checkpoint will be the start of free agency in March, where they will appear to address other needs on both sides of the ball.
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