New Michigan DC Jesse Minter pens goodbye letter to fans

The Michigan Wolverines wasted no time in filling the major void on its defensive coaching staff by hiring Vanderbilt defensive coordinator Jesse Minter for the same role in Ann Arbor on Wednesday.

Minter spent just one season as the Commodores’ defensive coordinator, and while his tenure was short, he made a point to address the coaching staff and fan base he leaves behind in Nashville.

Go Blue! pic.twitter.com/drS5bWCQ8n

— Jesse Minter (@Coach_Minter) February 10, 2022

Just like Mike Macdonald, the Wolverines’ first-year defensive coordinator in 2021 before departing to take the same job for the Baltimore Ravens, Minter comes to Ann Arbor with significant coaching experience, including working together with Macdonald on Ravens head coach John Harbaugh’s defensive staff.

Minter was a Ravens assistant coach for four seasons and coached the team’s defensive backs in 2020. As Yahoo Sports noted, Macdonald coached the defensive backs and linebackers from 2014-20, so the two defensive minds spent plenty of time together and approach defense in a similar way.

As On3’s Michigan site, “The Wolverine,” notes, Minter taking over as Michigan’s coordinator seemed a logical play. Harbaugh expressed interest in the longtime assistant ahead of last season, and has had him on the radar for a while.

Could Minter hire be seamless transition for Michigan Wolverines?

Minter’s hire may mean that Michigan wants to keep things very similar on the defensive side of the ball after a College Football Playoff appearance to cap the 2021 season.

“Minter knows Mike Macdonald’s defense inside and out, and he’s also got recruiting experience,” Chris Balas, who covers the Michigan Wolverines, wrote. “He seemed to be the natural next step, considered a bright young mind who cut his teeth under John Harbaugh at Baltimore.”

Minter joined the Ravens in 2017, working as defensive assistant responsible for organizing details of quality control and self-scouting. He also conducted opponent analysis for both sides of the ball, heavily involved with the defense.

Michigan’s defense gave up just over 17 points per game in 2021 after giving up over 35 points per game in the COVID-impacted 2020 season..

Jim Harbaugh himself said the familiarity from trusted confidants made the hire an easy one with the hope Minter continues to elevate the Wolverines defense.

“Jesse comes from a football family and loves coaching and the relationships you form with your players and staff,” Harbaugh said in a release. “He will provide excellent leadership for our defense and will fit seamlessly with the coaching staff we have put together. Jesse is a teacher first, has a love and passion for the game and cares deeply for the players he coaches and works with daily.

“He came highly recommended last year by my brother John, and Jesse and I have continued to have discussions and maintain a friendship which helped bring him to Ann Arbor.

Michigan fans finally saw a season they had been waiting for since Harbaugh took the helm. With so much coaching turnover, will the Wolverines ride the momentum or take a step back?

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