The Ravens rolled out the purple carpet for Jesse Minter at his introductory press conference Thursday, and like the yellow brick road, they hope it leads them back to the Super Bowl.
The Ravens had much success over the past couple of decades, but the reason why they introduced a new head coach is largely because they've struggled to get over the top the past few years.
Minter is certainly aware of that. After thanking the Ravens' front office for hiring him, the Los Angeles Chargers for grooming him, his former players, and his family, Minter addressed the expectations in his opening statement.
"We will build a true team built on toughness, fundamentals, a team that plays together, and we will work to be the best team in the National Football League," Minter said. "We will be at our best when our best is needed – I think that's really important."
The Lounge #876: Takeaways From Jesse Minter's Introductory Press Conference
Team insiders Ryan Mink and Garrett Downing discuss the arrival of new Ravens Head Coach Jesse Minter, including the principles he showed, the process that led to this position, his expectations for the team, and much more.
Too often, the Ravens haven't been at their best in those moments in recent years. Turnovers, fourth-quarter defensive collapses, drops, and other mistakes have led to their undoing in critical situations and games.
The Ravens had three turnovers in the 2023 AFC Championship game loss to the Chiefs and another three in their divisional playoff loss in Buffalo in 2024. They didn't make the playoffs this season after dropping the AFC North title game in Week 18, when the Steelers scored back-to-back late fourth-quarter touchdowns and the Ravens missed a field goal to win.
President Sashi Brown made the expectations clear. The Ravens expect to bounce back quickly with Minter.
"We know we have the talent to go out and pursue championships now," Brown said.
The first question to Minter Thursday was about his vision to take the Ravens further in the playoffs and back to their first Super Bowl since the 2012 season.
"I really think building a really cohesive team that all the work that you do leads to being successful in those opportunities," he said.
"So, I think we will create standards that match the goals that we want to achieve and then work every day tirelessly to get to that point. Our plan will be built on being at our best late in the season into the playoffs, and I look forward to that challenge."
Minter's respect for his predecessor, John Harbaugh, is clear. The Ravens won 193 games in Harbaugh's 18 years, including the playoffs. He gave Minter his first NFL job in 2017 as a defensive assistant.
After departing Baltimore, Harbaugh texted Minter and told him, "I think they should hire you." Minter appreciated that, and now he'll carry the torch and try to lead the Ravens to a third Super Bowl championship under a third head coach.
"I love John. [It's] really just like, take the foundation in place and build on it, make it better, put my own spin on it and not try to be John Harbaugh, not try to be Jim Harbaugh," Minter said. "Be myself, connect with everybody, make it about all of us. I really look forward to doing that.
"The 'we' is important. It takes everybody to be successful. I look forward to empowering our players and the coaches that we bring in. We will create our own standards that will allow us to reach our ultimate goals together."
