Jesse Minter and Mike Macdonald's Similar Career Paths Bode Well for Ravens
Because of their defensive acumen, similar career trajectories, and friendship, Jesse Minter and Mike Macdonald are often linked together.
Make no mistake: Minter is his own man. However, it reflects well on the new Ravens head coach to be mentioned in the same breath as Macdonald, who has led the Seattle Seahawks to the Super Bowl in his second year as head coach.
The Ravens have every reason to believe Minter can have that level of success with the Ravens.
ESPNâs Jamison Hensley said that shortly after the Ravens hired Minter last Thursday, a high-ranking team official was told that Minter has been described as a "legitimate genius."
"Honestly, that's what they said about Mike Macdonald," the high-ranking Ravens source said. "And it may just be true again."
Rick Minter, Jesse's father and a longtime college and NFL coach, told The Baltimore Sun: "I think if you look at it from the Ravens' point of view, one [they're] familiar with Jesse, and two there's a blueprint out there right now. It's out in Seattle with Mike and what he's doing.
"Mike and Jesse are connected at the hip. He's doing it the exact same way that people in Baltimore will no doubt envision as a possibility. Good strong defense, balanced offense and, in this case, you still have a two-time MVP at quarterback [Lamar Jackson]."
The younger Minter and Macdonald worked together for four years on Baltimore's staff (2017-2020) and helped craft the Ravens' innovative defensive scheme. Both left to become college defensive coordinators in 2021, Minter at Vanderbilt and Macdonald at Michigan.
When Macdonald returned to the Ravens the following season to become their defensive coordinator, Minter replaced him at Michigan and helped the Wolverines win the national championship. In 2024, Macdonald was hired as the Seahawks' head coach while Minter took over as defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Former linebacker Tyus Bowser, who played for the Ravens during Macdonald and Minter's stints as assistant coaches in Baltimore and one season under Macdonald in Seattle, spoke about the similarities between the two on âGlenn Clark Radio.â
Bowser said they have the same energy and "overall sense of the game to complement not only the defense, but the offense and special teams side as well.
"I compare him very well to Mike Macdonald in just the way that he carries himself, where he's very engaged in those young [players] and he knows what's needed for them to succeed and to be locked in, along with having that same mindset that John Harbaugh had â having the culture, having a team-minded mentality to go out there and play for each other."
Vanderbilt Head Coach Clark Lea, who hired Minter as his defensive coordinator in 2021 and has spent time with him in Los Angeles and Macdonald in Seattle, also sees similarities.
"The common threads are, they're both really smart, they're both process-driven, they're both critical thinkers, they both tend to adjust and adapt," Lea told The Baltimore Sun.
Macdonald expects big things from Minter in Baltimore.
"Phenomenal coach," Macdonald said at Friday's media session when asked about Minter's hiring. "A great person. Obviously, he's a friend of mine. He's going to do great."
Joe Brady, Kliff Kingsbury Reportedly Strong Candidates for Ravens' Offensive Coordinator Job
Anticipation is building regarding who the Ravens will hire as offensive coordinator. NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo reported that two prominent offensive coaches are prime candidates.
"A couple of candidates there are guys who interviewed for the head coaching job as well. We're talking about Joe Brady, currently the offensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills, and Kliff Kingsbury, formerly the offensive coordinator of the Washington Commanders," Garafolo said. "So those are two to keep in mind as Minter and the Ravens conduct a full search to find the new play-caller for Lamar Jackson. That pairing is going to have to be of the utmost importance."
As noted last week in Late for Work, the Ravens have the best offensive coordinator opening in the opinion of ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Ben Solak.
Ravens Praised for Reported Hiring of Notre Dame Defensive Backs Coach
Building his coaching staff is Minter's first order of business, and he reportedly made a strong addition over the weekend in Notre Dame Defensive Backs Coach/Defensive Pass Game Coordinator Mike Mickens.
The Athleticâs Pete Sampson credited Mickens, who spent six seasons with the Fighting Irish, with being the architect of "arguably the nation's best secondary."
Minter was a graduate assistant at Cincinnati during Mickens' final two seasons as a player with the Bearcats. At Notre Dame, Mickens was the cornerbacks coach at Notre Dame for two of safety Kyle Hamilton's seasons there.
The consensus on social media is that landing Mickens is a coup for the Ravens.
