Ravens Hire Jesse Minter as Head Coach
Baltimore signed the former Chargers defensive coordinator to a five-year contract after parting ways with John Harbaugh.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Football
The Baltimore Ravens announced on January 22, 2026, that they signed Jesse Minter to a five-year contract as head coach. Minter replaces John Harbaugh, who was let go after 18 seasons with the franchise.
Why it matters
Baltimore chose Minter to lead the franchise's next chapter following the end of Harbaugh's long tenure. The hire marks a shift in leadership for a team seeking to bring another Super Bowl title to the Ravens.
Minter's estimated annual salary is $12 million, tied for 13th among NFL head coaches, while the Chargers' defense ranked fifth in the league in total yards allowed in 2025.
The players
Jesse Minter
Minter is a former NFL and college football defensive coordinator who previously worked with the Chargers, Michigan and the Ravens.
John Harbaugh
Harbaugh coached the Ravens for 18 seasons before the team parted ways with him.
The details
Minter, 42, spent two seasons as the Los Angeles Chargers' defensive coordinator and previously served as Michigan's defensive coordinator, where the team won the national championship after the 2023 season. He also spent four seasons on Harbaugh's Ravens staff between 2017 and 2020, and he is the fourth head coach in franchise history.
Timeline
2017-2020: Minter serves on John Harbaugh's Ravens coaching staff.
January 2026: Minter takes over as Ravens head coach.
January 22, 2026: The Ravens announce Minter's five-year contract.
2026-2030: Minter's contract term covers these seasons.
Roadmap
The Minter hire ends the 18-season Harbaugh era in Baltimore, which had been the longest-running coaching tenure of its kind for the franchise. The move places a defensive-minded coach who built his résumé at Michigan and with the Chargers at the helm of a team that has long relied on its defense.
Minter's appointment means Ravens fans will watch a new head coach direct the team's defensive approach in 2026. Anyone tracking the roster or fantasy implications should follow how the new staff deploys players in its first season.
The takeaway
Baltimore's decision to move on from a long-serving coach and bring in a defensive specialist signals a new direction for the franchise. Readers following the team should watch how the Minter-led staff approaches its first offseason.
Further reading
Explore more Football coverage for context on the Ravens' coaching changes.
Source note: This article includes information reported by As.
