The Cleveland Browns continue to cast a wide net in their search for a new head coach, and their latest interview target brings a strong defensive pedigree to the table. The team is set to meet with Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter as part of a growing list of candidates vying for the job.
Here’s where things stand in the Browns’ ongoing coaching search:
- Interviewed: Ravens OC Todd Monken, Browns OC Tommy Rees, Browns DC Jim Schwartz
- Scheduled: Bengals OC Dan Pitcher, Former Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel, Chargers DC Jesse Minter, Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase
- Requested: Seahawks DC Aden Durde, Jaguars OC Grant Udinski, Rams DC Chris Shula
- Expected: Former Ravens HC John Harbaugh
Minter, 42, has quietly built a résumé that’s earned respect around the league, especially among defensive minds. His coaching journey began back in 2006 as a defensive intern at Notre Dame, and from there, he worked his way through the college ranks with stops at Cincinnati, Indiana State, and Georgia State. By 2016, he had carved out a reputation as a rising defensive thinker, which led to his jump to the NFL.
In 2017, Minter joined the Baltimore Ravens-one of the league’s most consistently stout defensive franchises-and by 2020, he was leading the secondary as the team’s defensive backs coach. That stint gave him valuable experience in a system known for its complexity and physicality. After a one-year run as Vanderbilt’s defensive coordinator in 2021, he took over the same role at Michigan, where he helped build one of the most dominant defenses in college football.
When Jim Harbaugh made the leap back to the NFL in 2024, Minter followed him to Los Angeles to run the Chargers’ defense. That decision paid off quickly.
In 2025, Minter’s unit ranked fifth in the NFL in points allowed and ninth in total defense. Even more impressive: they finished top 10 in both rushing (No. 8) and passing defense (No.
5). That kind of balance is rare in today’s league, where many defenses skew heavily one way or the other.
What Minter brings to the table is a track record of adaptability and results. He’s worked at nearly every level of the game, developed players in both college and the pros, and helped turn around defensive units in multiple stops. For a Browns team that already boasts a strong defensive core, his ability to elevate talent and scheme against modern offenses could be a major asset.
The Browns’ coaching search is still unfolding, and with experienced names like John Harbaugh and Mike McDaniel also in the mix, the competition is stiff. But Minter’s resume speaks for itself. He’s not just another name on the list-he’s a serious contender with the kind of defensive chops that could fit well in Cleveland.