Ravens hire Chargers DC Jesse Minter as head coach

Field Level Media|published: Thu 22nd January, 18:23 2026

Aug 7, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter at press conference during training camp at The Bolt. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Jesse Minter, who has a coaching history with the Baltimore Ravens and the Harbaugh family, is the Ravens' new head coach, the team announced on Thursday.

Minter, the Los Angeles Chargers' defensive coordinator under head coach Jim Harbaugh the past two seasons, replaces John Harbaugh, who was fired by the Ravens earlier this month after 18 seasons. It's a five-year deal for Minter, according to ESPN.

"Jesse is a strong leader who possesses a brilliant football mind and a spirit that will resonate with our players and fanbase alike," Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said in a statement. "Jesse comes from a football family, with success at every level of the sport, and we are confident that he is the right coach to lead the Ravens forward."

Minter, 42, is the fourth head coach in the Ravens' 31-year franchise history, following Ted Marchibroda, Brian Billick and John Harbaugh.

"I am truly honored to serve as the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens," Minter said in a statement. "This is an organization whose values, culture and tradition of excellence reflect everything I believe about the game of football and how it should be played."

The Chargers finished the 2025 regular season fifth in total defense (285.2 yards allowed per game) and ninth in scoring defense (20.0 points).

Minter was a popular candidate to fill head-coaching vacancies and interviewed with the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans. He canceled a second interview with the Cleveland Browns on Thursday.

John Harbaugh was hired by the New York Giants, while the Falcons brought in Kevin Stefanski, the Titans signed Robert Saleh and the Dolphins went with Jeff Hafley.

Minter served on the Ravens staff under John Harbaugh as a defensive assistant (2017-19) and defensive backs coach (2020). He was the DC and safeties coach at Vanderbilt in 2021, then under head coach Jim Harbaugh as the defensive coordinator at Michigan (2022-23) and the Chargers (2024-25).

Minter coached in the college ranks at Notre Dame (as an intern, 2006), Cincinnati (graduate assistant, 2007-08), Indiana State (linebackers, 2009-10; DC, 2011-12), and Georgia State (DC, 2013-16).

--Field Level Media