Jesse Minter will be the one to take over for John Harbaugh as the new Baltimore Ravens head coach. The franchise announced the news Thursday as the former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator will move back east.
Minter has been one of the hot names on the coaching market this season. The 42-year-old coach is reportedly in line to receive a five-year deal to take over in Baltimore.
“I am truly honored to serve as the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens,” Minter said in a statement provided by the Ravens. “This is an organization whose values, culture and tradition of excellence reflect everything I believe about the game of football and how it should be played.”
He will succeed Harbaugh, who was fired earlier in January following 18 seasons at the helm with the Ravens. Harbaugh has since been hired as the New York Giants new head coach.
Minter will be replacing one Harbaugh brother after working closely with another. His days along Jim Harbaugh go back to the University of Michigan. Minter has served as Jim Harbaugh’s defensive coordinator for the last four seasons in both the NFL and college.
He has ties to the departed Harbaugh as well with John having provided Minter with his first NFL gig. The new Ravens head coach began his first stint in the pros on the Baltimore staff beginning in 2017. He started out as a defensive assistant before becoming defensive backs coach by the 2020 season.
A brief move to Vanderbilt as defensive coordinator in 2021 preceded his move to Michigan.
Success Following Minter to Baltimore
Minter has yet to run a team in his career but his ability to run a defense has earned him plenty of praise. He interviewed with the Las Vegas Raiders and had been in line to interview with the Browns as well. The move to Baltimore will make him the youngest head coach in the 31-year history of the franchise.
Minter is just the fourth head coach in the history of the franchise.
“Jesse was impressive throughout our incredibly thorough interview process,” Ravens wwner Steve Bisciotti said in a statement. “He clearly understands the values, high expectations and history of the Ravens, and he has a great vision for the future. Jesse’s football acumen is outstanding, and that’s been proven by the impact he’s made throughout his entire coaching career.”
The son of longtime coach Rick Minter, Jesse Minter has built plenty of acclaim as a coordinator and assistant. His guided a turnaround of the Chargers’ defense in his short time with the franchise. Los Angeles was the best in the NFL in 2024 with just 17.7 points allowed per game.
The Chargers ranked 24th in that same category just the year before. Minter’s defense checked in at No. 5 in yards allowed this season with (285.2).
“Jesse is a strong leader who possesses a brilliant football mind and a spirit that will resonate with our players and fanbase alike,” Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said. “Jesse comes from a football family, with success at every level of the sport, and we are confident that he is the right coach to lead the Ravens forward.”
Ravens Will Have A Clean Slate
For all Harbaugh’s accolades, his success in Baltimore had been fading even with quarterback Lamar Jackson. The Ravens have secured just three playoff wins with Jackson and have yet to reach a Super Bowl.
Minter will be tasked with bringing the Ravens to a new level as he steps in as the new head coach. An injury to Jackson changed the course of the season for Baltimore. But, the team looked like it was plenty capable of making noise in the playoffs.
A missed potential game-winning field goal against Pittsburgh prevented a playoff berth. However, the pieces are in place for Minter and the Ravens moving forward.
His expertise on defense will be needed to revitalize a group that ranked 24th this season allowing 354.5 yards.
Minter’s hiring marks the fifth head coaching position filled in the league already. Robert Saleh was officially announced as the new Tennessee Titans head coach Thursday as well. That leaves Arizona, Buffalo, Cleveland, Las Vegas and Pittsburgh still searching for their new head coach.
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