Major Coaching Changes at the Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens are undergoing significant changes in their coaching staff following the departure of John Harbaugh. Harbaugh, who led the team for many years, has now moved on to take a new role with the New York Giants. This shift has prompted a series of adjustments within the Ravens’ organization.

Chris Horton’s New Role with the New York Giants

One of the most notable moves is the expected hiring of Chris Horton by the New York Giants. Horton has been a key figure in the Ravens’ special teams operations since 2014. His new position with the Giants will be as assistant head coach and special teams coordinator, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Harbaugh reportedly enhanced the offer by granting Horton the assistant head coach title, which was previously held by Willie Taggart in Baltimore. Taggart is also expected to join Harbaugh in New York.

Horton’s Background and Achievements

Before joining the Ravens, Horton served as a quality control assistant at UCLA. He began his tenure with the Ravens in 2014 as an assistant special teams coach and was later promoted to special teams coordinator in 2019. Under his leadership, the Ravens’ special teams unit achieved remarkable success.

According to the Ravens’ bio for Horton, the team ranked in the top 10 for several key special teams metrics, including yards per punt return, punt returns of 20 yards or more, and kick-return touchdowns. The Ravens also consistently ranked among the best in the league in terms of special teams performance.

In Football Outsiders’ annual special teams DVOA ratings, the Ravens finished in the Top 10 each year from 2012 to 2023, with multiple Top 5 and Top 3 finishes. The team even secured the No. 1-overall spot four times during this period.

Horton’s impact was also evident in the individual achievements of players under his guidance. For example, Ravens punter Jordan Stout was named an NFL First Team All-Pro for the 2025 season, leading the league in net punting average.

Special Teams Success Under Horton

Since Horton joined the special teams staff in 2015, the unit has consistently performed at a high level. The group posted seven Top 5 marks and six Top 3 marks, with three No. 1 finishes. In his first year leading the group (2019), the Ravens finished ninth in special teams rankings. They then achieved a Top 3 mark in each of the next four seasons, with a No. 2 ranking in 2020, a No. 1 ranking in 2021, and a No. 3 ranking in both 2022 and 2023.

Coaching Changes in Baltimore

With Harbaugh’s departure, the Ravens have appointed Jesse Minter as their new head coach. Minter previously served as the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers. His appointment marks a significant shift in the team’s direction.

As Harbaugh moves to the Giants, the Ravens are expected to make several other changes. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken is also anticipated to follow Harbaugh, and former special teams coordinator Chris Horton will make the transition as well. This means the Ravens will need to search for a new special teams coordinator and an offensive coordinator to work under Minter.

Future Outlook for the Ravens

Minter will now take on the challenge of leading the Ravens back to the playoffs after they missed the postseason in 2025. With a new coaching staff in place, the team will aim to rebuild and regain its competitive edge.

The Ravens’ recent coaching changes reflect a broader trend of movement and reorganization within the NFL. As teams seek to improve their performance, the transfer of experienced coaches like Horton and Harbaugh plays a crucial role in shaping the future of the league.