Ravens Hire Minter as New Head Coach

Minter's charisma and defensive expertise impressed GM Eric DeCosta during the interview process.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 2:15am

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The Baltimore Ravens have hired Jesse Minter as their new head coach, replacing the departed John Harbaugh. Minter, a 42-year-old native of Little Rock, Arkansas, previously served on the Ravens' defensive staff from 2017-2020 before becoming a defensive coordinator for Vanderbilt, Michigan, and the Los Angeles Chargers. Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said Minter "blew us away" during the in-person interview, leading the team to choose him over 15 other candidates for the coveted coaching vacancy.

Why it matters

The Ravens are hoping Minter can help revive their defense and get the team back to the playoffs after missing out this past season. Minter's familiarity with the organization and experience as a defensive coordinator were key factors in his hiring, as the Ravens look to build around star quarterback Lamar Jackson.

The details

Minter will take over a Ravens team that was considered a Super Bowl favorite just a few months ago, but struggled mightily on defense this past season. He plans to call the defensive plays himself and has already had "multiple conversations" with Jackson about the team's future. The Ravens interviewed 16 candidates over a two-week period that GM DeCosta described as an "illuminating process" for the organization.

  • Minter was on the Ravens' defensive staff from 2017-2020.
  • Minter was hired as the new Ravens head coach on January 30, 2026.

The players

Jesse Minter

The 42-year-old new head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, who was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. He previously served on the Ravens' defensive staff from 2017-2020 before becoming a defensive coordinator at Vanderbilt, Michigan, and the Los Angeles Chargers.

Eric DeCosta

The general manager of the Baltimore Ravens, who led the team's extensive head coaching search and was impressed by Minter's charisma and defensive expertise during the interview process.

Lamar Jackson

The star quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens, who Minter has already had "multiple conversations" with about the team's future direction.

John Harbaugh

The previous head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, who Minter is replacing after Harbaugh's departure.

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What they’re saying

“He just blew us away. As good as his Zoom interview was, I think spending time with him in Baltimore was even more valuable. I think at that point, while he was with me in my office, I started to imagine Jesse as our head coach and what that might look like.”

— Eric DeCosta, General Manager, Baltimore Ravens

“When I heard Jesse's name as a possible candidate, it was hard for me to envision Jesse like he is, because my experience was with Jesse primarily in the draft years ago when he was doing all the bottom guys on the draft board in the secondary. I just didn't really ever think of him like that. But watching him last year -- we played (the Chargers) last year -- and watching that defense, I'm like, 'This is a good team. This is a really good defense. Jesse's doing a hell of a job.'”

— Eric DeCosta, General Manager, Baltimore Ravens

“You really have no idea what jobs are going to be open. As you get towards the middle and end of the season, you feel like you might be a candidate. But when this job opened, this became the one for me, and this was the one that I wanted.”

— Jesse Minter, Head Coach, Baltimore Ravens

What’s next

Minter will now focus on assembling his coaching staff and working closely with quarterback Lamar Jackson to get the Ravens back to the playoffs in 2026.

The takeaway

The Ravens' decision to hire the charismatic and defensive-minded Jesse Minter signals their commitment to building a tough, fundamentally sound team that can compete for a Super Bowl title around their star quarterback Lamar Jackson.