The Baltimore Ravens are hiring Jesse Minter, former Los Angeles Chargers Defensive Coordinator, as their new head coach

Another coaching change in the NFL is official.

The Baltimore Ravens are hiring Jesse Minter, former Los Angeles Chargers Defensive Coordinator, as their new head coach, the Ravens announced Jan. 22. Minter and the Ravens agreed to a five-year contract, according to Adam Schefter.

Minter will be the fourth head coach in the team’s history. He also interviewed with the Las Vegas Raiders for their head coach position and was scheduled to interview with the Cleveland Browns, but he canceled.

“My family and I are thrilled to join the Ravens flock,” Minter said via the team’s social media. “And we can’t wait to make the fans, the great city of Baltimore, and Maryland proud.”

Welcome to Baltimore, Coach Minter! pic.twitter.com/qwFekUZmF6

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 22, 2026

Minter had been with the Chargers as defensive coordinator for the past two seasons, where they went 11-6 during the regular season before losing in the Wild Card round in both seasons.

Under Minter in 2024, the Chargers’ defense went from 24th in points and 28th in yards to first in points and 11th in yards, according to the Ravens. In 2025, the Chargers’ defense was fifth in the league in total defense with 285.2 yards allowed per game, passing defense with 179.9 yards allowed per game and eighth in rushing defense with 105.4 yards per game, according to FOX Sports.

The Chargers’ defense over the past two seasons under Jesse Minter, per TruMedia:

🔒 1.7 points per drive allowed (6th)
🔒 5.2 yards per play allowed (7th)
🔒 46.1% red-zone TD rate allowed (2nd)
🔒 7.8% sack rate (5th)
🔒 57.8% pass def. success rate (6th)
🔒 35.5% 3rd-down… pic.twitter.com/bgHtWSrr1R

— PFSN (@PFSN365) January 23, 2026

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This isn’t Minter’s first time in Baltimore, as he was a member of the Ravens organization from 2017-2020. He was a defensive assistant his first two seasons, assistant defensive backs coach in 2019, before the Ravens promoted him to defensives back coach in 2020, according to ESPN.

“He clearly understands the values, high expectations and history of the Ravens, and he has a great vision for the future,” Ravens Owner Steve Bisciotti said. “Jesse’s football acumen is outstanding, and that’s been proven by the impact he’s made throughout his entire coaching career.”

The Raven’s fired former Head Coach John Harbaugh on Jan. 6, two days after the Ravens fell to the Steelers 26-24 that ended on a missed field goal attempt to end their season 8-9 and miss the playoffs. Harbaugh had been their head coach since 2008 and won Super Bowl XLVII with the team.