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Now that Jesse Minter has been named the fourth head coach of the Ravens, he needs to build his coaching staff.
Surrounding himself with the right people, from coordinators to assistants, will be key to creating a winning culture.
John Harbaugh, who was fired Jan. 6 after 18 years as Ravens coach, has reportedly taken several assistants with him to the New York Giants, including special teams coordinator Chris Horton and defensive line coach Dennis Johnson. He is expected to hire offensive coordinator Todd Monken if Monken doesn’t get a head coaching job.
There are a few other Ravens staff members Minter could keep. He can also bring in people he has worked with in Los Angeles, Michigan and his other stops, or add other coaching talent he identifies.
Here, The Banner will keep track of Minter’s staff as he builds it over the next few weeks.
Mike Mickens
Mike Mickens previously served as cornerbacks coach at Notre Dame, where he overlapped with Ravens Pro Bowl safety Kyle Hamilton. (Michael Caterina/AP)
Position: The Ravens are reportedly hiring Mickens as defensive backs coach and defensive pass game coordinator.
Previous position: Mickens was the defensive backs coach at Notre Dame.
Connection: In 2012, Mickens was a defensive assistant on Minter’s Indiana State staff. He was also a player at Cincinnati while Minter coached there from 2007-08.
Notes: A cornerback at Cincinnati from 2005-08, Mickens transitioned into coaching in 2011. He got his first opportunity at his alma mater before Minter hired him at Indiana State. After the two parted ways, Mickens rose through the college ranks, joining Notre Dame’s staff in 2020. Mickens started as a cornerbacks coach until becoming the defensive backs coach in 2024, and he overlapped with Pro Bowl safety Kyle Hamilton, who was there from 2019-21.
As the defensive backs coach in 2024, Mickens helped Notre Dame finish with the top-ranked pass efficiency defense (104.4) in the FBS. The Irish were fourth in passing yards allowed (169.4), fourth in scoring defense (15.5) and fifth in interceptions (19). Mickens coached multiple All-Americans and had two players selected in the first three rounds of the draft last year. Although the 2025 secondary wasn’t as stout as the 2024 version, Mickens had three top-five defensive backs committed for 2026, according to 247Sports.com.