Interview date: Thursday, Jan. 15
Current role: Minter has been the Los Angeles Chargers’ defensive coordinator since 2024.
Minter joined the Chargers with head coach Jim Harbaugh after the two worked together at the University of Michigan from 2022-23. The Chargers have since gone 11-6 in both seasons and made the playoffs both times.
Minter coached the following defensive Pro Bowlers in Los Angeles: outside linebacker Khalil Mack (2024), defensive end Joey Bosa (2024), outside linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu (2025) and safety Derwin James Jr. (2024-25).
Minter has primarily worked at the collegiate level, with 14 years of experience there. He was the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive assistant from 2017-19 and defensive backs coach in 2020. The Ravens went to the playoffs three times during Minter’s tenure.
Local connection: Minter was the defensive coordinator at Georgia State University in downtown Atlanta from 2013-16.
Why he’s a candidate: Minter reformed the Chargers’ defense within a season. The unit ranked 24th in points allowed the season prior to his arrival. It was the No. 1 scoring defense the very next season. A similar trend happened with yards allowed, going from 28th without Minter to eighth with him. The Chargers maintained a top-10 defense in Minter’s second season, too. They were ninth in points allowed and fifth in yards allowed this past year.
The Falcons have a young and talented defense that could benefit from Minter’s leadership.
Furthermore, Minter has spent time with both Harbaugh coaches, who have each found success in the NFL. As already stated, he’s currently with Jim in Los Angeles. He was with John in Baltimore. Minter has surely learned valuable lessons from the two that would be beneficial to the overall success of the team, not just the defense.
Minter has been a part of various winning cultures, too. He has been to the NFL playoffs five times between the Chargers and Ravens. He also helped lead Michigan to a national championship title in 2023.