Ravens tab Zach Orr as defensive coordinator

The Baltimore Ravens hired Zach Orr as their new defensive coordinator on Thursday, one day after Mike Macdonald left that position to become the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks.

Orr, 31, spent the past two seasons as the Ravens' inside linebackers coach.

He played three seasons as a linebacker with the Ravens (2014-16) before he announced his retirement due to a congenital neck/spine condition. He joined Baltimore as a coach and personnel assistant and was promoted to coaching analyst for two seasons before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars to coach outside linebackers in 2021.

"Zach is a homegrown Raven in every way," Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh said. "His energy, intelligence, work ethic and strong communication skills have been on display since the day he joined our organization as a player in 2014.

"From making our team as an undrafted rookie, to becoming an All-Pro linebacker, then later transitioning to an assistant coach who helped mentor multiple Pro Bowl defenders, Zach has excelled at every level of his football journey. He knows our players and understands our standard as well as anyone. I'm confident that he is prepared to take on the challenge of continuing to develop our players and scheme as our next defensive coordinator."

Macdonald helped the Ravens earn the No. 1 seed in the AFC in 2023, with his defense finishing first in scoring defense (16.5 points per game) and sixth in the NFL in total defense (301.4 yards per game).

Baltimore's season ended on Sunday with a 17-10 home loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.

Orr totaled 163 tackles, three interceptions, one sack, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries in 46 games (15 starts) with the Ravens.

—Field Level Media