With the Ravens introducing new head coach Jesse Minter in a press conference in Owings Mills on Thursday, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. Introductory press conferences are like orientation on the first day of school. It’s a pass-fail proposition with a low bar, and Minter did perfectly fine. If you loved the hire, you liked what you heard. If you didn’t, he wasn’t going to change your mind. Conclusions beyond that are reaching.
2. “I just didn’t really ever think of him like that, and that’s me being honest.” That was Eric DeCosta’s first impression of Minter as a defensive assistant doing pre-draft secondary evaluations rather than having some grandiose vision that he’d become a head coach. I can appreciate that candid assessment.
3. Based on DeCosta’s general comments about player involvement in the interview process, it’s probably safe to assume Lamar Jackson didn’t embrace the full scope of Steve Bisciotti’s invitation, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t involved. For what it’s worth, Travis Jones was the most notable current player at Thursday’s presser.
4. Minter said he’s had “wonderful conversations” with Jackson, but the sense is the previous relationship in Baltimore between a defensive assistant and a star quarterback was friendly but unremarkable. “With Lamar, I just look forward to connecting with him, helping him become the best version of himself.” That remains paramount.
5. Baltimore ultimately wants the best man for the job, but hiring an offensive coordinator without play-calling experience at the college level at least would leave me uneasy, especially after watching Zach Orr’s difficulties. When you already have a first-year head coach, that would be a lot of “new” to navigate.
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6. Speaking of Orr, Minter chose to tread carefully when asked about the 2025 defense, but he mentioned “a fundamental level needed [and] required to play great defense that we will harp on tremendously.” That didn’t sound like a ringing endorsement of the coaching.
7. Minter goes from coaching Derwin James to Kyle Hamilton, whom he referred to as “a position-less defensive player that I would classify as a weapon.” He mentioned wanting Hamilton “near the point of attack” as much as possible, so you wouldn’t expect a return to that deep safety role.
8. One could understand some potential awkwardness with John Harbaugh, but Minter said he’s had a couple “small conversations” with the ex-Ravens coach, who apparently texted that Baltimore “should hire you.” That was pretty cool to hear from someone critical to where Minter is now.
9. Minter cited this past year as pivotal to him feeling ready to be a head coach. Not only did Jim Harbaugh give him full autonomy to run the defense, but Chargers general manager and ex-Ravens executive Joe Hortiz also helped prepare Minter to handle greater responsibilities. Two good teachers.
10. While DeCosta said Minter “just blew us away in person” during the second interview, he alluded to the limitations of NFL rules for talking to others still in the playoffs. Minter interviewed for eight openings, and Las Vegas was extremely interested. Baltimore didn’t want to risk losing its top guy.
11. Much like Minter, DeCosta started at the bottom as a personnel intern and worked his way to the top. It’s logical to assume a rookie head coach will largely defer to DeCosta early on, but you’d like to believe their origin stories lead to a strong and fruitful partnership.
12. Speaking repeatedly about the importance of relationships and how they take time to cultivate, Minter noted how “a major piece of relationships is listening and having conversations and hearing people.” Good advice for life in general too.
