Jesse Minter — Baltimore Ravens Head Coach

Head coach of the Baltimore Ravens for 2026 season. First-time NFL head coach, defensive-minded specialist hired to replace John Harbaugh after 18 years.

Quick Facts

Role: Head Coach
Team: Baltimore Ravens (BAL)
Current holder: Jesse Minter (hired 2026 offseason)
Coaching tree: Mike Macdonald / John Harbaugh — see Coaching Trees

Background

Was the Los Angeles Chargers' defensive coordinator in 2024 and 2025, leading a top-5 defense. Before that, two years as defensive coordinator at Michigan under Jim Harbaugh, including the 2023 national championship. Spent four seasons together with Mike Macdonald on John Harbaugh's Baltimore staff before both took college DC jobs in 2021.

Hired January 22, 2026 to replace John Harbaugh after the team parted ways following 18 seasons. In his first 100+ days, Minter managed multiple responsibilities: assembling a coaching staff (tapping defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver and special teams coordinator Anthony Levine Sr., both former Ravens), hiring 30-year-old Declan Doyle from the Bears as offensive coordinator, navigating the failed Maxx Crosby trade, and building rapport with quarterback Lamar Jackson. Minter's approach is collaborative—he consulted with mentor Mike Macdonald on the transition from coordinator to head coach. He installed his defensive system while ensuring ample attention to offensive and special teams planning. His staff drew heavily on college ranks and veteran assistants, with emphasis on diversity. (per Inside Jesse Minter's whirlwind Ravens start)

Scheme and Tendencies

Defensive-minded head coach in the Mike Macdonald mold. Brought Declan Doyle from the Bears as offensive coordinator (only 30 years old). Anthony Weaver hired as defensive coordinator. Led a top-5 Chargers defense in 2024-2025, expected to revitalize Ravens defense that "lost its spark" after Mike Macdonald left for Seattle. Features talented defensive pieces like Kyle Hamilton and Roquan Smith (per Ravens reason for 2026 optimism not centered on Lamar Jackson).

Recent News

2026-10-05 — Which NFL Coaches Are on the Hot Seat and Why More Jobs May Open Than You Expect (Again) (Which NFL Coaches Are on the Hot Seat and Why More Jobs May Open Than You Expect (Again))
2026-10-08 — NFL Coaching Hot Seat Rankings: Todd Bowles Could Soon Be Out; Nick Sirianni Next? (NFL Coaching Hot Seat Rankings: Todd Bowles Could Soon Be Out; Nick Sirianni Next?)
2026-10-15 — NFL news, live updates: Jalen Hurts out in Week 6, Lamar Jackson has 'real chance' to... (NFL news, live updates: Jalen Hurts out in Week 6, Lamar Jackson has 'real chance' to...)
2026-10-15 — Ravens Injury Report: Week 6 Has Staggering 19-Player List (Ravens Injury Report: Week 6 Has Staggering 19-Player List)
2026-08-24 — Predicting NFL teams most likely to improve in 2026 season (Predicting NFL teams most likely to improve in 2026 season)
2026-09-15 — 2026 NFL Power Rankings: How all 32 teams stack up for Week 2 (2026 NFL Power Rankings: How all 32 teams stack up for Week 2)
2026-09-02 — The 10 Most Criminally Underrated Fantasy Football Players of 2026 (The 10 Most Criminally Underrated Fantasy Football Players of 2026)
2026-10-06 — Week 4 Fantasy Football Injury Recap (Week 4 Fantasy Football Injury Recap)
2026-09-06 — NFL team previews 2026: Predictions, rankings, depth charts (NFL team previews 2026: Predictions, rankings, depth charts)
2026-10-07 — 15 trade candidates ahead of the 2026 NFL trade deadline (15 trade candidates ahead of the 2026 NFL trade deadline)

Sources

NFL 2026 head coach cycle leaned offense (10 hires, NYT)