Brandon Staley

Brandon Staley was born on December 10, 1982, in Perry, Ohio. He demonstrated early athletic talent as a two-sport star at Perry High School, excelling as a point guard in basketball and a quarterback in football. He continued his football career at the University of Dayton from 2001 to 2004, where he played quarterback, leading the team to a 9-2 record in 2003 and a 7-3 record in 2004. He then spent a season at Mercyhurst College in 2005. His coaching journey began as a graduate assistant at Northern Illinois University from 2006 to 2008, followed by roles at the University of St. Thomas (2009), Hutchinson Community College (2010-2011), and the University of Tennessee (2012). He also served several seasons as defensive coordinator at John Carroll University (2013, 2015-2016) and James Madison University (2014).

Staley transitioned to the NFL in 2017, joining the Chicago Bears as their outside linebackers coach. He held the same position with the Denver Broncos in 2019 before becoming the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams in 2020. In this role, he quickly made an impact, leading the Rams’ defense to the top of the league in both yards and points allowed, which significantly elevated his profile. This success led to his appointment as the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021. During his tenure with the Chargers from 2021 to 2023, Staley recorded a 24-24 regular-season record, including a playoff appearance in 2022. He was recognized for developing key players and achieving notable defensive and offensive rankings during his time there.

After his time with the Chargers, Staley spent the 2024 season as the assistant head coach for the San Francisco 49ers, contributing to a defense that ranked eighth in opponent net yards per game and fifth against the pass. In February 2025, he was hired as the defensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints, reuniting with head coach Kellen Moore, who had previously been his offensive coordinator with the Chargers. Throughout his career, Staley has demonstrated a consistent focus on player development and strategic defensive schemes, earning a reputation for his analytical approach to the game.