The Browns are interviewing Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter on Friday for the team's head coach opening.
Minter is one of two candidates to interview on Friday. Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz interviewed on Jan. 8, while Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher and Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde interviewed on Jan. 9. Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken then interviewed on Jan. 10 while former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel interviewed on Jan. 12.
Minter, 42, joined the Chargers as their defensive coordinator in 2024. In his first season in the role, 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, 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.
When he joined the Chargers' coaching staff, Minter reunited with head coach Jim Harbaugh, who he worked for as Michigan's defensive coordinator for two seasons from 2022-23. Minter helped the Wolverines reach the College Football Players twice, including winning a national championship in 2023.
Minter's unit was the top-ranked defense in the country in 2023, allowing just 247.0 total net yards per game and ranked No. 2 in the nation over his two-season span as defensive coordinator (268.8). Minter was also a finalist for the Broyles Award in 2022, an honor annually presented to the top assistant coach in college football.
Prior to Michigan, Minter was the defensive coordinator and safeties coach for Vanderbilt University during the 2021 season. He was also the defensive coordinator at Georgia State from 2013-16.
Minter broke into the NFL in 2017 with the Ravens and spent four seasons in Baltimore. He first served as a defensive assistant for two seasons from 2017-18 before becoming the assistant defensive backs coach in 2019. He then took over as the defensive backs coach in 2020. In his four years in Baltimore, the Ravens secured three postseason berths and back-to-back AFC North Division titles in 2018 and 2019.
Minter began his coaching career as a defensive intern for the University of Notre Dame in 2006, moving on to be a graduate assistant for the University of Cincinnati for two seasons from 2007-08. He then coached four seasons at Indiana State — two as linebackers coach from 2009-10 and another two as defensive coordinator from 2011-12, marking his first coordinator experience.
Bio Blast
Jesse Minter – Chargers defensive coordinator
Age: 42
Hometown: Little Rock, Arkansas
College: Mount St. Joseph University
NFL experience: 6 years
