Jesse Minter, whose NFL coaching career began nine years ago as a Baltimore Ravens defensive assistant, will be hired as the fourth head coach in the franchise’s 31-year history, the team announced on Thursday.
The Los Angeles Chargers’ defensive coordinator was selected after a more than two-week search to find a replacement for longtime head coach John Harbaugh, who was fired on Jan. 6 following the conclusion of a hugely disappointing season. As part of the search, the Ravens had 16 known interviews in their first round alone.
“Jesse was impressive throughout our incredibly thorough interview process,” Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said in a statement released by the team. “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 with our players and inspire them to championship levels.”
Owner Steve Bisciotti on Jesse Minter: pic.twitter.com/SohnZhhD90
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 22, 2026
Minter, 42, was immediately viewed as one of the favorites for the position, given the organization’s familiarity with him and his impressive two-year run as the Chargers’ defensive coordinator under Jim Harbaugh.
Minter was an assistant under John Harbaugh in Baltimore from 2017 to 2020, serving the final year as the Ravens’ defensive backs coach. He was a college defensive coordinator at Indiana State, Georgia State, Vanderbilt and Michigan, and he was part of the Wolverines’ national championship-winning staff during the 2023 season. He then followed Jim Harbaugh to the NFL, where he became one of the league’s fastest-rising assistants.
“Jesse is a strong leader who possesses a brilliant football mind and a spirit that will resonate with our players and fan base alike,” general manager Eric DeCosta said 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.”
Your next coach of the Baltimore Ravens.
We have agreed to terms with Jesse Minter to be our head coach! pic.twitter.com/5VEBGk8iB1
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 22, 2026
Minter was one of the most coveted candidates in this head-coaching cycle. He interviewed for the Atlanta Falcons’ and Tennessee Titans’ head-coaching vacancies, which have since been filled, and twice for the Las Vegas Raiders’ head-coaching position.
The Ravens hired him after he spent Wednesday meeting with team officials and department heads at the Under Armour Performance Center. The Ravens, who ran a meticulous search, initially planned to bring in five finalists to meet with Bisciotti and other decision-makers.
Minter was the second candidate to get a second interview behind Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, who was at the facility on Tuesday.
The Ravens had a second interview with Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady on Thursday. There was also a belief that they were interested in talking to a few of the assistants who are coaching Sunday, a group that includes Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, Denver Broncos pass game coordinator Davis Webb, and Los Angeles Rams pass game coordinator Nathan Scheelhaase and defensive coordinator Chris Shula.
None of those assistants were eligible to do second in-person interviews with Baltimore until next week. The Ravens obviously didn’t think they could afford to wait.
Minter should immediately help the Ravens regain the defensive standard that slipped in recent years. In his first year in Los Angeles, the Chargers had the league’s top-ranked scoring defense. This past season, the Chargers’ defense slipped a bit and dealt with numerous key injuries, yet it still finished in the top 10 in several categories.
Minter’s defensive system is similar to what the Ravens have had in the past with Wink Martindale and then Mike Macdonald as their defensive coordinator. His biggest question mark will be what he does at offensive coordinator — former Washington Commanders assistant Kliff Kingsbury has been mentioned as a potential play caller — and how he connects with star quarterback Lamar Jackson.
“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.
“My family and I are thrilled to join the Ravens flock. And we can’t wait to make the fans, the great city of Baltimore and Maryland proud.”
