The Baltimore Ravens are in unusual territory. For the first time since 2007, they are looking for a new head coach after making the shocking decision to fire longtime head coach John Harbaugh, who spent 18 seasons with the team and led the Ravens to a Super Bowl victory against the San Francisco 49ers in the 2012 season. Baltimore is now looking for just their fourth head coach in franchise history.
For nearly two decades, the Ravens have been one of the NFL’s top models for running an organization, from an owner who has complete trust in his staff to a coach who brings consistency to this program. But after a disappointing season in which the team failed to make the playoffs, and its recent struggles of falling apart in big moments, the team decided to go in a different direction.
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With a Super Bowl-caliber roster and a multi-time MVP at quarterback, the Ravens should be a top choice for anyone looking to apply to be an NFL head coach. The search won’t be easy, but here are three coaching candidates who could be the next great Baltimore Ravens head coach.
Brian Flores
One coach who should be on Baltimore’s checklist is Vikings DC Brian Flores. His last coaching gig was with the Miami Dolphins, where he was let go in January 2022. Afterward, he sued the NFL for racial discrimination and claimed that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross offered him $100,000 for each loss in 2019 to strengthen the team’s draft capital.
Despite the controversy over whether the Ravens should hire him as the team’s next head coach, Flores has proven to be a good leader. He took what most people thought was the worst team in the league entering 2019 and dragged the Dolphins to five wins. He then them to led back-to-back winning seasons, going 10-6 and 9-8, finishing his three seasons with Miami at 24-25.
With Brian, the Ravens are getting a defensive-minded coach. Since taking over as the Vikings’ defensive coordinator, he has turned their defense into a dominant unit. In 2025, the Vikings’ defense ranked third in total defense, second in passing defense, and seventh in scoring defense.
With Flores, the Ravens would be getting a coach who could fix a defense that has struggled under DC Zach Orr, a unit that has been one of the league’s worst over the last two years.
Flores could be the proven fix the Ravens are looking at if they want to win a Super Bowl in the Lamar Jackson era.
Jesse Minter
Another top choice for Ravens fans is Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. Hiring Minter would provide familiarity at a higher level, as he has worked under both Harbaugh brothers. He would be a great protege to take over as the Ravens’ next coach.
Under Minter’s leadership, the Chargers’ defense ranked fifth in total defense, fifth in passing defense, and ninth in scoring defense.
The Ravens may, again, want to look for a defensive head coach, as the team struggled on defense all season. Baltimore ranked 18th in scoring defense, 30th in passing defense, 24th in total defense, and 30th in sacks. Another defensive head coach would fit the Ravens’ saying, “Play Like a Raven,” as the franchise has traditionally built its identity through its defense. But Baltimore has seemed to have lost that identity in recent seasons.
With his track record working under both Harbaugh’s, Jesse Minter may be precisely what the Ravens need to bring a third championship to Baltimore.
Klint Kubiak
Last but certainly not least is Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. Kubiak is also familiar with the Ravens’ organization: He is the son of Gary Kubiak, who was the team’s offensive coordinator in 2014, when Joe Flacco threw for a career-high 27 TDs and RB Justin Forsett made the Pro Bowl.
Outside of the family ties in Baltimore, Klint is one of the best offensive coordinators in the league, working under former Ravens defensive coordinator and now Seattle Seahawks Head Coach Mike Macdonald. Kubiak has led Seattle to eighth in passing offense, eighth in total offense, and third in scoring offense. He was a key reason why Seattle got the No. 1 seed and is playing in the NFC championship game.
With Kubiak leading the team, the Ravens offense could return to their explosive ways. Pair him with Hall of Fame running back Derrick Henry and two-time MVP Lamar Jackson, and the Ravens may finally fly their way to the Super Bowl.
Prediction
The Baltimore Ravens’ next head coach will be Jesse Minter. Not only does he have the ability to revamp a Ravens defense that is in desperate need of repair, but he also has a close connection with the Ravens that will help him beat out other candidates. Under Minter, the Ravens will finally be able to complement their explosive offense with an equally explosive defense.
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