The Baltimore Ravens hired Jesse Minter as their new head coach ahead of the 2026 season. Minter was the Los Angeles Chargers’ defensive coordinator before replacing John Harbaugh at the Ravens.

Minter sat down with Rich Eisen to discuss Lamar Jackson’s impact on the Ravens’ hiring process.

“He was involved in the interview process,” Minter told Eisen.

“We were on a Zoom (meeting). He wanted to hear my vision for him, the offense, and the team.

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“I think it’s a really well-connected team that cares about each other, plays for each other on the field, and an offense that takes advantage of his (Lamar Jackson’s) skill set.”

Minter crossed paths with Lamar Jackson earlier in his coaching career. He started as a defensive assistant in 2017, then served as the defensive backs coach in 2020.

Minter is now back in Baltimore as head coach following John Harbaugh’s 18-year stint. He’ll be tasked with leading the Ravens to their first Super Bowl win since 2013 when they beat the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII.

Jesse Minter brings defensive expertise to the Baltimore Ravens

Jesse Minter was one of the most sought-after coaches in the 2026 hiring cycle. Minter was fresh off a two-year spell as Jim Harbaugh’s defensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Minter is a student of the game, and he’s been on the coaching trajectory for two decades. His first coaching role was as a defensive intern with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in 2006.

He then joined the Cincinnati Bearcats as a graduate assistant for two seasons. Minter joined the Indiana Hoosiers, going from linebackers coach to defensive coordinator in under three seasons.

The highly rated defensive coach joined the Baltimore Ravens after a one-year stint as defensive coordinator at Georgia State. He worked with the Ravens from 2017 to 2020 before heading back to college football.

Minter worked with the Vanderbilt Commodores and the Michigan Wolverines, winning a national championship as the Wolverines’ defensive coordinator in 2023. He joined Jim Harbaugh on the Los Angeles Chargers as their defensive coordinator for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

Jesse Minter is now set to make his debut as a head coach with the Baltimore Ravens. He’ll look to bring years of defensive acumen and finally lead the Ravens over the hump.