Michigan Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter Set to Join Los Angeles Chargers; Implications for Wolverines’ Coaching Staff and Team Dynamics
MLive sources reveal that Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter is anticipated to join Jim Harbaugh at the Los Angeles Chargers this week.
The transition is expected to occur by week’s end, as disclosed by individuals familiar with the situation, making Minter the second known staff member from Michigan to accompany Harbaugh to the NFL. Reports circulated over the weekend suggested that Minter had informed Michigan players of his forthcoming departure.
As of now, neither Minter, the university, nor the Chargers have publicly confirmed the move. Harbaugh is scheduled to speak with the media on Thursday during his introductory press briefing in Los Angeles.
With Minter’s impending departure, newly-appointed Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore faces the challenge of filling both crucial coordinator positions—and potentially all three if Jay Harbaugh opts to join his father on the West Coast, as anticipated.
Jay Harbaugh attended Moore’s introductory press conference in Ann Arbor on Saturday, while Minter was notably absent.
During his tenure at Michigan, Minter led two top-10 defenses that contributed to the Wolverines’ consecutive Big Ten championships and a College Football Playoff national title. In 2023, his unit ranked first nationally in both scoring defense (10.4 points per game) and total defense (247 yards).
Minter succeeded former Michigan defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, who reportedly will become the next head coach of the Seattle Seahawks and was recognized for overhauling the Wolverines’ defensive strategy in 2021. A seasoned college coach, 40-year-old Minter gained NFL experience from 2017 to 2020 as a member of the Baltimore Ravens’ coaching staff.
Michigan also suffered the loss of its highly regarded strength coach to the Chargers this week. The university acknowledged Ben Herbert’s departure on Monday in a press release announcing the promotion of assistant strength coach Justin Tress.
