The Baltimore Ravens failed to make the playoffs in 2025, and as a result, decided to move on from head coach John Harbaugh after 18 years.
Harbaugh won a Super Bowl with the Ravens and compiled a 180-113 record, so it won't be easy to replace him. However, the team clearly felt like things were getting stale and that a fresh start was needed.
With several head coaching jobs still open, Jacob Camenker of USA Today predicted who will fill each opening. For the Ravens, Camenker predicts that the team will choose a young, first-time head coach to replace Harbaugh instead of a proven veteran.
Camenker's pick for the Ravens is Jesse Minter, who is currently the defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Chargers. Regarding this fit, Camenker offered the following:
Minter spent four seasons on Harbaugh's staff with the Ravens from 2017-20 before jumping to the college ranks as a defensive coordinator. He eventually landed the defensive coordinator job at Michigan with Jim Harbaugh and made the jump back to the NFL in the same role after helping lead the Wolverines to a national championship in 2023.
Minter quickly found success in Los Angeles, leading the Chargers to the No. 1 scoring defense in 2024 while the squad ranked eighth in defensive EPA per play this season, per the NFL's Next Gen Stats. The Ravens should value the 42-year-old's defensive acumen and will also value having a familiar face in the building as they try to smoothly guide the transition away from Harbaugh.
As Camenker mentioned, Minter has to be considered a logical candidate due to his experience with the Ravens and both Harbaugh brothers.
Minter was a defensive assistant with the Ravens from 2017 to 2020. After that stint, the defensive-minded coach joined Jim Harbaugh at Michigan, and then followed Harbaugh to the Chargers.
The Ravens have traditionally been known for having elite defenses, but that hasn't been the case as much lately. Minter could freshen things up on the defensive side of the ball and bring much-needed energy to the building.
There seems to be real momentum for this pairing to happen. Minter recently had a second in-person interview with the Ravens, so it definitely seems like there's mutual interest.
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