Jan. 26, 2026, 7:21 a.m. ET

The Baltimore Ravens hired Jesse Minter as the franchise’s fourth head coach after a two-week search.Minter has a strong football pedigree, as his father, Rick Minter, was a longtime college coach.He previously served on the Ravens’ coaching staff from 2017 to 2020 in various defensive roles.Minter’s defenses at Michigan and with the Los Angeles Chargers have been highly ranked and efficient.

After two weeks of meticulous searching, the Ravens hired Jesse Minter to become the franchise’s next head coach. He was scheduled to interview for the Browns head coaching job on Thursday, but the Ravens announced that they’ll hold an introductory press conference for their new head coach, Minter, on Thursday, January 29. The news dropped on the team’s social media sites some 17 hours after news that Minter had beat out two other finalists, Joe Brady and Anthony Weaver, to become the fourth head coach in franchise history.

With the off-season moving along, we’re looking at three reasons for Ravens fans to be optimistic about the hire.

Strong pedigree

Minter was the defensive coordinator at Georgia State from 2013-16, earning his first Broyles nomination in 2015. Minter hit the big time when he joined the Ravens’ staff in 2017, beginning as a defensive assistant before being promoted to assistant defensive backs coach in 2020 and eventually to defensive backs coach in 2020. Football is in Minter’s blood, and it started with his father, the legendary Rick Minter. The elder Minter has an extensive resume, but he’s best known for 1992 to 1993, when he served as the defensive coordinator for the University of Notre Dame, leading the Irish to a #2 national ranking. As the head football coach at the University of Cincinnati (94-03), he compiled a 53–63–1 record. Among the long list of Bearcat head coaches, Minter holds both the record for the second-most career wins and the record for the most career losses.

Michigan/Chargers were efficient and good in critical situations

Baltimore struggled in one-score games, going 0-4 this season. The Chargers had the fourth-best third-down defense in the NFL over the last two seasons, allowing just 35.5% of conversions. Minter’s defenses consistently forced offenses to fourth down. After winning a national title in 2023, Minter followed Jim Harbaugh to the Chargers, and his defenses have earned respect around the league as Los Angeles was tied for second in interceptions (15) and tied for eighth in takeaways (18).

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Minter was on the Ravens‘ coaching staff from 2017-20, beginning as a defensive assistant, then promoted to assistant defensive backs coach and, in 2020, to defensive backs coach. Minter will hit the ground running thanks to his familiarity with the front office, scouts, and the culture.

Players improve under Minter

At Michigan, Minter’s unit was the top-ranked defense in the country in 2023, allowing just 247.0 total net yards per game en route to a College Football Playoff National Championship, and ranked No. 2 in the nation over his two-season span as defensive coordinator (268.8). During his first season with the Chargers in 2024, Los Angeles went from the bottom of the rankings to a defense that allowed the fewest points and the seventh-fewest passing yards per game. Last season, the Chargers became the sixth team to give up 20 or fewer points in eight road games. As an encore to landing the Ravens job, the Chargers finished the season ranked 5th in the league in defense. The Chargers held opponents to 20 points or fewer ten times down the stretch, tied for third in interceptions with 19.

Minter’s teams rush the passer

Last season under Minter, the Los Angeles Chargers had four players with at least five sacks –Tuli  Tuipulotu (13.5), Odafe Oweh (7.5), Justin Eboigbe (6), and Khalil Mack (5.5). Baltimore wants an improved pass rush, and Minter’s defense will pressure the quarterback.