Jesse Minter was 11 years old when his dad, Rick Minter, made his head coaching debut at the University of Cincinnati.
Jesse attended the game, and it didn’t take him long to move from the stands to the sideline. So his father gave Jesse a job – to keep his dad’s headset cord from getting tangled.
It didn’t work out. Jesse was much too distracted by the game. When it comes to football, the Ravens’ new head coach is always drawn to the action.
“I turn around and Jesse’s gone,” Rick said. “My other son, Josh his older brother, had the cord. I saw Jesse down the sideline aways, just watching this game with watchful eyes. He never carried the cord again. He just wanted to be where he could see the game.
“It’s been amazing to me as a dad, and a former coach and defensive coordinator, to watch this young man come along. I’ve just marveled at watching him grow. I think he’s earned his stripes. He’s ready to roll.”
Rick knows his opinion is biased, but the Ravens agree with it. The younger Minter is now the coaching star of the family at age 42, the youngest head coach in Ravens history. He learned a lot from his father, a longtime coach who played a critical role helping his son build a foundation in the profession.
“The first half of my career, there was nobody more influential than my dad,” Jesse said.