Baltimore Ravens hire Jesse Minter as next head coach, replacing John Harbaugh

The Baltimore Ravens have hired Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter as their next head coach, the franchise announced. He will replace John Harbaugh, his former boss during his time with the team.

Minter was on the Ravens’ staff from 2017-20, starting out as a defensive assistant and becoming defensive backs coach in 2020. In 2021, he became the defensive coordinator at Vanderbilt and took the same role at Michigan under Jim Harbaugh from 2022-23.

When Harbaugh left for the NFL, Minter joined him as defensive coordinator. Now, he will return to Baltimore to replace John Harbaugh after his departure after the regular season.

“I am truly honored to serve as the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens,” Minter said in a statement. “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.”

Minter was considered one of the top candidates in this coaching cycle and canceled a meeting with the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot reported. The Chargers’ defense ranked ninth in the NFL in points allowed this past season, and their 4,849 yards allowed ranked fifth in the league.

“Jesse is a strong leader who possesses a brilliant football mind and a spirit that will resonate with our players and fanbase alike,” said Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta in a statement. “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.”

More on Jesse Minter’s coaching career

Jesse Minter began his coaching career in 2006 as a defensive intern at Notre Dame and as a graduate assistant at Cincinnati from 2007-08. He then spent four seasons at Indiana State from 2009-12 before becoming Georgia State’s defensive coordinator from 2013-16.

From there, John Harbaugh hired him in Baltimore before Minter returned to the college game at Vanderbilt in 2021. Jim Harbaugh then brought him to Michigan in 2022, and Minter served as acting head coach for one game while Harbaugh served a suspension. The Wolverines won that matchup, 30-3, against East Carolina.

Following his return to the NFL in 2023, Minter began to emerge as a potential head coaching candidate down the road. He will now get that shot with the Ravens.

“Jesse was impressive throughout our incredibly thorough interview process,” said Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti 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. He is also a leader who will authentically connect withour players and inspire them to championship levels.”