Another major move in the 2026 NFL coaching carousel is in the books - and it’s a big one. The Baltimore Ravens have officially named Jesse Minter their next head coach, signaling a new era in Charm City and closing the door on one of the most coveted vacancies of the offseason.
Minter steps into some big shoes, taking over for longtime head coach John Harbaugh. But this isn’t unfamiliar territory for him.
In fact, Minter’s ties to the Harbaugh coaching tree run deep. He worked under Jim Harbaugh at both Michigan and with the Los Angeles Chargers, and his NFL coaching journey actually began in Baltimore - on John Harbaugh’s staff - where he served as a defensive assistant and later as the defensive backs coach from 2017 to 2020.
Now, he returns to Baltimore not as a rising assistant, but as the man in charge.
This hire doesn’t just reshape the Ravens’ future - it also shifts the landscape of the AFC North. Minter was one of the Steelers’ top targets in their own coaching search, having interviewed virtually with Pittsburgh just last week.
Now, instead of potentially leading the Steelers, he’ll be facing them twice a year from the opposite sideline. That’s a twist that adds even more intrigue to one of the NFL’s most physical and storied rivalries.
The Ravens are getting a coach with serious defensive chops. In 2025, Minter’s Chargers defense quietly put together one of the league’s most complete performances.
They ranked ninth in points allowed per game, fifth against the pass, eighth against the run, and an eye-popping second in EPA per play - a stat that measures overall efficiency. In short, his defense wasn’t just good - it was consistently disruptive, disciplined, and dangerous.
Baltimore’s choice also makes them the first AFC North team to fill a head coaching vacancy this offseason. The Browns and Steelers remain in the hunt, but the pool is shrinking.
Two of Pittsburgh’s interviewees - Minter and new Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley - are officially off the board. The Steelers are set to meet in person with Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver on Friday as they continue their search.
For the Ravens, this is more than just a hire - it’s a homecoming of sorts, and a bet on continuity, culture, and defensive identity. Minter knows the organization.
He knows what winning football looks like in Baltimore. And now, he’ll get his shot to lead it.