OTL: Jesse Minter Meets Baltimore Media as Head Coach

This morning, new Baltimore Ravens head coach Jesse Minter met with the Baltimore media. Unlike his predecessors Brian Billick, and John Harbaugh, Minter isn’t completely new to 1 Winning Drive, having worked in the building as a defensive assistant from 2017-20. The always superb Ravens media team put out some videos of Minter and his family arriving last night, and that included a stop by his old office.

Full circle… just down the hall pic.twitter.com/LRwKOr0Trh

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 29, 2026

It was a packed house, as in addition to the assembled media, plenty of current and former players were in the house.

Plenty of current and former Ravens in attendance for Jesse Minter’s introductory presser:

Jimmy Smith
Ray Rice
Torrey Smith
Nick Boyle
Jamie Sharper
Justice Hill
Teddye Buchanan
Nick Moore
Carson Vinson

… among others.

— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) January 29, 2026

Flanked by Eric DeCosta and Sashi Brown, Minter laid out his vision for the Ravens, which includes “be[ing] at our best when our best is needed.” That was a nod to the team’s recent playoff failures, and backed up Brown’s previous remarks, in which the Team President stated “we know we have the talent to pursue championships now.”

Head Coach Jesse Minter on the OC and DC hiring searches: pic.twitter.com/wH9FZe69vB

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 29, 2026

As for the offensive and defensive coordinators, Minter said that he wouldn’t confirm either of the hires at this time, but that both searches were “very far along” and that “we’re finalizing a few of those pieces.” He said that he was looking for leaders with schematic expertise, but most importantly coaches that the players connect with and feel that their relationship is collaborative.

As for the defensive coordinator though, whoever it is will not be calling plays. That will be the head coach.

Minter says he plans on calling the defense.

“I think that’s a strength of mine and it’s one of the reasons I am sitting here.”

— Alex Glaze (@Alex_Glaze) January 29, 2026

Without getting into exactly why (we’ve been chastened here at RSR for talking about “the last guy” a bit too much lately), this is music to the ears of the Flock.

One name that’s surfaced in the DC search is a familiar one to Ravens fans.

Ravens requested to interview Broncos defensive passing game coordinator and assistant HC Jim Leonhard for their defensive coordinator job, per source. Leonhard — who played in Baltimore in 2008 — already has interviewed for the Chargers DC and is expected to interview for…

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 29, 2026

I was surprised to be reminded that Jim Leonhard was only in Baltimore for the one season. Perhaps it was due to just how memorable that improbable rookie season for Joe Flacco & John Harbaugh was overall, but I would have guessed Jim was here for at least three years. Leonhard has never been a DC at the NFL level, though he called plays for his alma mater Wisconsin Badgers from 2017-22. This might be a great landing spot for him to work with Minter.

Here’s the steam of the presser if you missed it

And this was my favorite Minter moment…

He was asked by Clifton Brown about keeping his old rejection letters from when he was trying to break into coaching. Minter’s response could be the inspiration for one of the motivational posters you see hanging around corporate offices.

“I think my mindset has shifted maybe in the last five or six years away from proving people wrong, and more to proving people right. I think you become a little more of an optimist, positive thinker when you want to prove people right, rather than the negative connotation of proving people wrong.”

Great stuff, coach! Welcome back, and best of luck!

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