With the Ravens enjoying their bye week and poised to host a playoff game next Sunday in Baltimore, they received even more good news with the announcement on Friday that director of player personnel Eric DeCosta is staying put.
After having his name linked to general manager openings in Chicago, St. Louis, Oakland, and Indianapolis, the 40-year-old will forgo any interviews to remain with the organization where he received his start in 1996. DeCosta has been identified as the heir apparent to general manager Ozzie Newsome and had turned down interview opportunities in the past, including one with the Seattle Seahawks in 2009.
“He has chosen to stay with the Ravens, and we’re excited that he will,” Newsome said in an official statement. “He is a most valuable asset and will continue to help us win championships.”
DeCosta served as the Ravens’ director of college scouting for six years before being elevated to his current position on Jan. 28, 2009. He began at an entry-level position within the organization in its first year in Baltimore before becoming an area scout in 1998.
Past front office members such as Phil Savage and George Kokinis have left the organization to accept general manager positions, only to find the grass isn’t always elsewhere. Kokinis has since returned to the Ravens as a senior personnel assistant. DeCosta, a Massachusetts native, has close ties to the area with his wife hailing from Maryland.
“Since this franchise started in 1996, we’ve established a strong history of retaining our most important executives, players, coaches and personnel experts,” Newsome said. “Eric, who has had opportunities to interview with other teams recently and over the years, is another one we want to keep and will keep.”
With DeCosta staying with the Ravens, the question will now continue to be how much longer the 55-year-old Newsome remains as general manager. Serving as Newsome’s right-hand man, DeCosta has a strong relationship with the long-time architect of the Ravens.
Hear DeCosta’s Friday morning conversation with Drew Forrester and Nestor Aparicio hours before the announcement right here.
