The coaching staff of the Baltimore Ravens is undergoing changes following the departure of several key members. Mike Macdonald, the defensive coordinator, has left to become the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. Dennard Wilson, the defensive backs coach, has taken on the role of defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans. Additionally, Anthony Weaver, the assistant head coach and defensive line coach, has been appointed as the defensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins.

To maintain continuity within the team, the Ravens have decided to promote from within their coaching staff. Zach Orr, the inside linebackers coach, has been elevated to the position of defensive coordinator, replacing Macdonald. Furthermore, Chris Hewitt, the defensive passing game coordinator and secondary coach, has been promoted to assistant head coach. This decision comes after Hewitt garnered interest from other NFL teams, including the Dolphins, during the hiring cycle. Hewitt will now enter his 10th season with the Ravens.

These coaching changes aim to ensure that the Ravens maintain their defensive prowess, as they finished as the top-ranked defense in the NFL in 2023. Rather than seeking external candidates to fill the vacancies, head coach John Harbaugh has opted to promote internal coaches. This strategy is consistent with Harbaugh’s previous approach whenever a defensive coach has departed, a practice he has followed since Rex Ryan’s appointment as head coach of the New York Jets in 2009. Harbaugh’s decision to promote from within has yielded positive results, with the Ravens boasting a top-10 defense in 12 of his 16 years at the.