The Baltimore Ravens are casting a wide net in their search for a new head coach, and one of the latest names to surface is Denver Broncos special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi. According to reports, Rizzi is expected to interview for the Ravens' vacancy-an intriguing turn considering he previously interviewed for the Giants' top job before they hired John Harbaugh, the very coach Baltimore has now parted ways with.
Rizzi's name carries weight in league circles, especially among players and staff who’ve worked with him. His most recent stop in Denver has been a bit of a redemption arc.
After a rocky start to the season, Rizzi’s special teams unit found its groove. Kicker Wil Lutz was lights-out for most of the year, rookie punter Jeremy Crawshaw showed steady improvement, and Marvin Mims Jr. became a legitimate field-flipping threat in the return game-highlighted by a punt return touchdown that helped swing momentum in a key win.
The coverage teams were consistently disciplined, and by season’s end, special teams had become one of the Broncos’ most dependable units.
This isn’t Rizzi’s first brush with head coaching responsibilities. Back in 2024, he stepped in as the New Orleans Saints’ interim head coach and quickly earned the respect of the locker room.
Though he didn’t land the permanent job-Kellen Moore got the nod instead-Rizzi’s leadership during that stretch left a strong impression. That stint helped pave the way for his reunion with Sean Payton in Denver, where he took over special teams duties and helped stabilize that phase of the game.
Now, Rizzi is one of three Broncos coaches drawing interest from the Ravens. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and quarterbacks coach Davis Webb have already completed virtual interviews during Denver’s bye week.
Rizzi will get his shot for an in-person meeting once league rules allow-after the Championship games. If the Broncos fall short this weekend, all three coaches could be hired immediately.
But if Denver punches its ticket to the Super Bowl, interested teams will have to wait until after the Big Game to make any official moves.
The Ravens, coming off a season that fell short of expectations, are looking for a leader who can reignite a talented roster and get MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson and the offense back to firing on all cylinders. Rizzi might not be the flashiest name in the mix, but his track record of earning respect, turning units around, and connecting with players could make him a compelling candidate for a franchise looking to reset and reload.