ExtremeRavens Posted January 15 Posted January 15 While the Ravens wait to find out who their playoff opponent will be in the divisional round, other teams are not. After Baltimore finished the regular season with the best record in the NFL at 13-4, organizations around the league began to target members of its coaching staff and front office to fill their vacancies. Second-year Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, the mastermind behind the first defense to lead the league in sacks (60), takeaways (31) and points per game allowed (16.5), has already interviewed with multiple teams that have head coach openings. First-year offensive coordinator Todd Monken, whose scheme tapped into the unique talents of quarterback and presumptive NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson, has as well. No in-person interviews with a coach currently employed by another team that is playing in the postseason can take place until after this week’s divisional round, so the interviews were conducted remotely, though interviews for general manager openings can take place in person immediately. Here’s a look at Ravens coaches and front office staff who have been interviewed so far. Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald One of the hottest coaching candidates around the league, Macdonald, 36, has drawn rave reviews for his defensive wizardry, ability to connect with players and sharp mind. Over the past two seasons, the Ravens’ defense has ranked in the top five in scoring, total yards, rushing yards, red-zone touchdown rate and third-down conversion rate. Among the teams he has already interviewed with are the Los Angeles Chargers, Tennessee Titans, Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons. The Washington Commanders also requested an interview, and the Seattle Seahawks are reportedly expected to. Macdonald would become the youngest head coach in the NFL if he were to be hired. So far, Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, whose lone head coaching job was with Southern Mississippi from 2013 to 2015, has interviewed with the Falcons, Chargers and Panthers. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Offensive coordinator Todd Monken In Monken’s first year in Baltimore after arriving off two straight national championships at Georgia, the Ravens’ offense ranked sixth in the NFL in yards per game (370.4) and Jackson was named first-team All-Pro. At 57, he’s 10 years older than the league’s average age for head coaches, but players have thrived in his scheme. So far, Monken, whose lone head coaching job was with Southern Mississippi from 2013 to 2015, has interviewed with the Falcons, Chargers and Panthers. Ravens associate head coach/defensive line coach Anthony Weaver has already had interviews with Falcons, Commanders and Panthers. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Associate head coach/defensive line coach Anthony Weaver The 43-year-old former defensive end was the Houston Texans’ defensive coordinator in 2020 before rejoining Baltimore two years ago and being promoted to associate head coach last year. Another head coach in the making, Weaver has already had interviews with Falcons, Commanders and Panthers. Ravens passing game coordinator/secondary Chris Hewitt has interviewed with the Jaguars for their open defensive coordinator job. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Passing game coordinator/secondary Chris Hewitt The Ravens allowed the sixth-fewest passing yards and third-fewest passing touchdowns in the NFL this season, along with recording the third-most interceptions. Second-year safety Kyle Hamilton was also named an All-Pro and cornerback Brandon Stephens blossomed. That, among other things, caught the attention of the Jacksonville Jaguars, who interviewed Hewitt for their open defensive coordinator job. The 49-year-old has been with the Ravens since 2012, joining them as defensive backs coach the same season they went on to win the Super Bowl before being promoted to passing game coordinator/secondary in 2020. Ravens defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson has interviewed with the Giants for their open defensive coordinator position. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson Hewitt, of course, isn’t the only one drawing interest. After the New York Giants parted ways with defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale, who served the Ravens in the same capacity from 2018 to 2021, they looked to Baltimore again, interviewing the defensive backs coach for the opening. Wilson, 41, is in his first year with the Ravens after coming over from the Philadelphia Eagles. The Chargers have interviewed the Ravens’ director of player personnel Joe Hortiz for their general manager position after firing Tom Telesco along with coach Brandon Staley late in the regular season. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Director of player personnel Joe Hortiz Hortiz has been with the Ravens since 1998 and in his current position since 2019. Given the success of many of the Ravens’ draft picks and free agent signings, it’s of little surprise that Hortiz would be a hot job candidate, with the 48-year-old helping oversee college and pro scouting and serving as general manager Eric DeCosta’s top personnel evaluator. The Chargers have interviewed him for their general manager position after firing Tom Telesco along with coach Brandon Staley late in the regular season. Vice president of football administration Nick Matteo In his fourth season in Baltimore, Matteo oversees all areas of football administration, including day-to-day salary cap management and roster transactions. Before that, he spent nine years with the NFL Management Council, eventually being named the league’s senior director of labor operations. The Panthers, who fired general Scott Fitterer after the regular season, interviewed Matteo for the opening. This story might be updated. View the full article Quote
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