Ravens Hire Jesse Minter as New Head Coach

General Manager Eric DeCosta says Minter "blew us away" during in-person interview

Jan. 29, 2026 at 6:39pm

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The Baltimore Ravens have hired Jesse Minter as their new head coach, replacing John Harbaugh. Minter, who previously served on the Ravens' defensive staff from 2017-2020, impressed the team during the interview process, with GM Eric DeCosta saying he "blew us away" when they met in person. Minter, 42, has most recently been the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers, Vanderbilt, and Michigan.

Why it matters

The Ravens are looking to bounce back after missing the playoffs this past season, despite being considered a Super Bowl favorite earlier in the year. Minter's experience coaching defense and his familiarity with the Ravens organization made him an attractive candidate to help turn the team around and get the most out of star quarterback Lamar Jackson.

The details

Minter will take over a Ravens team that has plenty of talent, having won the second-most regular season games in the NFL since Jackson was drafted in 2018. However, the team has yet to reach a Super Bowl in that span. Minter said he plans to call the defensive plays and has already had "multiple conversations" with Jackson as he looks to build a "true team built on toughness, fundamentals, and a team that plays together."

  • The Ravens introduced Minter at a news conference on Thursday, January 29, 2026.

The players

Eric DeCosta

The general manager of the Baltimore Ravens, who was impressed by Minter during the in-person interview process.

Jesse Minter

The new head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, who previously served on the team's defensive staff from 2017-2020 and has most recently been the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers, Vanderbilt, and Michigan.

John Harbaugh

The previous head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, who Minter is replacing.

Lamar Jackson

The star quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens, who Minter has already had "multiple conversations" with as he looks to build a winning team.

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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, 'Damn, 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 and contending for a Super Bowl.

The takeaway

The Ravens' hiring of Jesse Minter as their new head coach signals their commitment to building a tough, fundamentally sound team that can maximize the talent of star quarterback Lamar Jackson. Minter's defensive expertise and familiarity with the organization make him an intriguing choice to lead the Ravens back to the top of the AFC.