Breaking Down the NFL’s Coaching Carousel: A Tale of Two Hires in Baltimore and New York
Another NFL hiring cycle is in the books, and once again, the league has reminded us just how volatile the head coaching landscape can be. Ten teams changed head coaches this year - and only one of those jobs opened up due to a resignation.
That kind of turnover says a lot. It tells us that teams are impatient, that expectations are sky-high, and that owners often struggle to find the right leadership fit for their franchises.
Predicting how these new hires will pan out is always a gamble. Some will thrive, others will flame out, and a few might just hang around in that gray area of mediocrity.
But what we can do is take a closer look at the most compelling - and least compelling - hires of the cycle. Two names stand out for very different reasons: Jesse Minter in Baltimore and John Harbaugh in New York.
Most Interesting Hire: Jesse Minter, Baltimore Ravens
Age: 42
Previous Job: Defensive Coordinator, Los Angeles Chargers
Let’s start with Baltimore, a franchise that doesn’t panic, doesn’t overreact, and rarely misses when it comes to coaching hires. Since 1999, the Ravens have had just two head coaches: Brian Billick and John Harbaugh.
Both brought home Lombardi Trophies. Now, Jesse Minter steps into that lineage - and there’s a lot to like about the move.
Minter isn’t a recycled name from the head coaching carousel. He’s not a former head coach looking for a second (or third) chance.
He’s young, sharp, and has already earned the respect of players and peers alike. And while this is his first head coaching gig, he’s no stranger to the Ravens’ organization.
From 2017 to 2020, Minter served as a defensive assistant and DBs coach under Harbaugh. He knows the building, understands the culture, and fits the Ravens’ identity.
This isn’t just about familiarity, though. Minter brings recent success to the table.
Last season with the Chargers, his defense ranked sixth in the league in total yards allowed (290.0 per game) and eighth in points allowed (19.8). That’s no small feat in today’s high-octane NFL.
He’s also inheriting a dream scenario. The Ravens are one of the league’s most stable franchises, with a front office that knows how to build a roster and a quarterback in Lamar Jackson who’s already won two MVPs. On defense, Minter will get to work with ascending stars like safeties Kyle Hamilton and Malaki Starks, plus linebacker Mike Green - a group that’s young, fast, and physical.
The pieces are there. The infrastructure is strong.
And Minter, despite being a rookie head coach, has the tools and support to succeed. If he clicks with Lamar and continues to elevate the defense, Baltimore could be right back in the thick of the AFC title race - and maybe more.
Least Interesting Hire: John Harbaugh, New York Giants
Age: 63
Previous Job: Head Coach, Baltimore Ravens (180-113 over 18 seasons)
On the other end of the spectrum, we have the Giants - a franchise that’s been spinning its wheels since Tom Coughlin left in 2015. Four head coaches have come and gone since then, and after the Brian Daboll era fizzled out, ownership clearly wasn’t in the mood to take another risk. So they went with the safest pick on the board: John Harbaugh.
Now, let’s be clear - Harbaugh is a proven winner. His résumé speaks for itself: 18 seasons, 180 wins, a Super Bowl ring, and a reputation for building tough, disciplined teams.
He’s going to bring structure to a Giants organization that desperately needs it. He’ll get them back to playing competitive football.
He’ll likely get them back to the playoffs.
But here’s the thing: we already know what Harbaugh is. There’s no mystery, no intrigue.
Since his Super Bowl win in 2012, his postseason record is 4-7. Even with Lamar Jackson under center, Harbaugh’s Ravens made just one AFC Championship Game appearance.
And last season, there were signs of friction between Harbaugh and Jackson - a possible factor in his eventual departure.
In New York, Harbaugh takes over a roster with potential. Quarterback Jaxson Dart is talented but unproven.
Running back Cam Skattebo brings toughness to the backfield. Wide receiver Malik Nabers has the tools to become a star, and defensive end Abdul Carter is a game-wrecker in the making.
There’s a foundation here, no doubt.
But is Harbaugh the guy to elevate this group into championship territory? That’s where the skepticism comes in.
He’ll raise the floor, but can he raise the ceiling? Can he adapt to a new locker room, a new quarterback, and the bright lights of New York?
Or will this be another chapter in the Giants’ long search for sustained relevance?
Final Takeaway
This year’s coaching cycle gave us a familiar reminder: hiring the right head coach is as much art as it is science. Jesse Minter’s arrival in Baltimore feels like a forward-thinking move rooted in continuity and upside. John Harbaugh’s landing in New York, meanwhile, feels like a calculated step toward stability - but perhaps not long-term greatness.
Both hires make sense in context. But only one feels like it could change the shape of the AFC playoff picture. And if Baltimore’s track record tells us anything, it’s that they may have found their next great leader - again.