Flock Nation, meet your new head coach! The Ravens hosted an introductory press conference for Jesse Minter at The Castle on Monday. General manager Eric DeCosta and team president Sashi Brown were also
in attendance, and the trio offered plenty of insight on the Ravens’ hiring process and their future with Minter. Right after, Minter joined The Pat McAfee Show to talk more about his plans for the Ravens. Let’s dive into the highlights!
Jesse Minter loves Lamar Jackson.
In 2024, Jesse Minter called Lamar Jackson “the most electric quarterback in the history of the National Football League.” His admiration has only grown since then. Minter was full of praise for his new QB during his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, saying he was the best player in the league multiple times:
Minter’s first stint in Baltimore included the first three years of Jackson’s career, so the two are already familiar with each other. During his press conference, Minter talked about his desire to build a strong relationship with Jackson and a strong offense around him.
“I just look forward to connecting with him, helping him become the best version of himself, creating a team identity that allows him to thrive…and put a team around him that allows him to reach that ultimate goal of bringing a Super Bowl back to Baltimore,” Minter said.
Multiple Ravens players were involved in the hiring process.
Many were curious about the involvement of the Ravens’ players in their coaching change. Owner Steve Bisciotti said that he consulted with players, including Lamar Jackson, before firing John Harbaugh, but those conversations were not major factors in his decision. Then, during the hiring process, reports trickled out that Jackson and other players were participating in interviews.
DeCosta confirmed that on Thursday, explaining that the team picked a “small group of veterans that had inquired about being a part of the process” to meet with the finalists for the job. He did not say which Ravens were involved in the hiring process, but Lamar Jackson and Kyle Hamilton, the faces of the franchise on either side of the ball, are safe bets. DeCosta added that players are also involved in the process of filling out Minter’s staff as well.
The Ravens’ coordinator search is “very far along.”
Speaking of Minter’s staff, he declined to confirm any reported hires on Thursday, but said that the search for his offensive and defensive coordinator was “very far along.”
“We’re finalizing a few of those pieces,” Minter continued. “I’m looking for leaders and connectors and relationship builders and schematic expertise, but most importantly, guys that the players believe in, that are willing to dive deep and build really strong relationships with the players.” Building strong relationships with his players has been a hallmark of Minter’s coaching career, so it is no surprise he wants a staff that can do the same.
The list of candidates for the Ravens’ coordinator jobs has thinned as other teams have made their hires, but a number of top coaches on both sides of the ball are still available. Given Minter’s background on defense, his offensive coordinator will be his most important hire, a decision Jackson is sure to be involved in as well.
For that position, Minter is looking for, in his words, “a connector, and an innovator, and a scheme-builder around the best player in the world.”
Minter will report to Steve Bisciotti.
Team reporting structure has suddenly become a hot topic around the NFL, and the Ravens are partially to blame. John Harbaugh insisted on reporting directly to ownership in New York – rather than the general manager – as he did in Baltimore, which dragged out the process of finalizing his contract for multiple days.
Bills owner Terry Pegula went in the opposite direction. After firing head coach Sean McDermott, he promoted general manager Brandon Beane to president of football operations in a role overseeing the new coaching staff. While McDermott reported to Pegula directly, his successor will report to Beane.
Minter and DeCosta both gave longwinded answers referencing their “partnership” when asked about the Ravens’ reporting structure, but DeCosta ultimately seemed to confirm that the hierarchy would remain the same.
Minter will call plays for the Ravens defense.
This is not exactly news. Minter has been a play-calling defensive coordinator for much of his coaching career and it would be shocking if he handed those duties off in Baltimore.
“I do plan on calling the defense,” Minter said. “I think that’s a strength of mine. I think that’s one of the reasons I’m sitting here.” He acknowledged, however, his game day role overseeing the entire team and ensuring a seamless operation across all three phases.
“I know that I’m in charge of all that, but it really starts with the relationships with the people in the building, particularly the players,” Minter continued, once again referring to the importance of relationships. “I think they’ll feel my competitiveness, they’ll feel my mentality every day, and I think we’ll work hand in hand together to build a great team.”
