Throughout the Browns' search for a new head coach, associate editor and staff writer Kelsey Russo will break down the candidates as they go through the interview process with the team. Next, let's look at Chargers defensive coordinator, Jesse Minter.
1) After spending two seasons as Michigan's defensive coordinator under Jim Harbaugh, Minter reunited with Harbaugh with the Chargers in 2024. Minter joined the coaching staff as the defensive coordinator in 2024 and has held the role for two seasons.
In his first season as defensive coordinator, the Chargers finished 11th in the league in total defense, allowing an average of 324.4 yards per game. They allowed the seventh-fewest passing yards per game at 206.9 yards, as well as the fewest points per game in the league. The Chargers then finished the 2025 season fifth in total defense, allowing 285.2 yards per game, and gave up the fifth-fewest passing yards per game at 179.9 yards.
2) Minter has worked for both Harbaugh brothers, earning his first NFL coaching experience under John Harbaugh from 2017-20 with the Ravens. Minter was a defensive assistant for the first three seasons before becoming their defensive backs coach in 2020.
Minter had a hand in helping the Ravens' defense achieve the NFL's top defensive unit in 2018, allowing just 292.9 yards per game – first in NFL – and 17.9 points per game, the second-lowest mark in the league. The following year, Baltimore's defense allowed the fewest points per game at 17.6 and passing yards allowed per game at 207.2. In his lone year as the defensive backs coach in 2020, Minter helped the defense rank sixth in the NFL with 221.0 pass yards allowed per game and second in yards allowed per completion 10.0 yards.
3) Minter won a national championship with Michigan in 2023 as defensive coordinator. His defense was at the top of most defensive categories during the 2023 season including points allowed per game at 10.4 and yards allowed per game at 247.0 on the way to a perfect 15-0 season. They were also a top 10 unit in third down defense at 29.1 percent, red zone defense at 72.0 percent and turnovers forced with 27.
4) Minter's father, Rick Minter, is a senior defensive analyst with the Chargers and joined the coaching staff the same season as his son. Rick has coached in college and the NFL for almost 50 years. Their coaching paths crossed over along the way, first as Jesse was a defensive intern for Notre Dame in 2006 while Rick was the defensive coordinator – a role he held from 2005-07. They crossed paths again while at Indiana State in 2010 and Georgia State in 2016.
5) Minter was a student-athlete at Mount St. Joseph University in Delhi, Ohio. He was a wide receiver from 2002-05 and helped the team compile a 30-10 record with consecutive conference titles and two Division III playoff appearances in 2004 and 2005.
