Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh’s staff will have a decidedly maize and blue hue to it with Tuesday’s announcement that Jesse Minter was hired as their new defensive coordinator. Minter held the same job for the past two seasons under Harbaugh at the University of Michigan.
Minter made the announcement that he was leaving Michigan with a farewell post on X (formerly Twitter) earlier in the day. He will replace Derrick Ansley, who was the Chargers’ defensive coordinator for one season after he took over for Renaldo Hill, who left for the Miami Dolphins after the 2022 season.
The Wolverines had the nation’s top-ranked defense while posting a 15-0 record this past season, giving up 247 net yards per game. Minter, 40, was a finalist for the Frank Broyles Award after the 2022 season, given to college football’s top assistant. He also was defensive coordinator at Vanderbilt for one season.
Harbaugh coached Michigan for nine seasons before the Chargers hired him on Jan. 24.
In addition, the Chargers are expected to announce they have hired former Michigan strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert in the next few days. Michigan’s players raved about Herbert’s work with them during the run-up to their national championship victory over Washington last month.
Greg Roman, a former offensive coordinator with the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers, is expected to be hired for the same job by the Chargers. Roman would replace Kellen Moore, who spent one season with the Chargers before being hired this week by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Roman, 51, and Harbaugh worked together when Harbaugh coached at Stanford and later with the 49ers. Roman also was on the staff of Harbaugh’s brother, John, while with the Ravens. Roman departed Baltimore after the Ravens’ wild-card loss to the Cincinnati Bengals following the 2022 season.
Jay Harbaugh, Jim’s son, also departed Michigan and is expected to be hired as the special teams coach with the Seattle Seahawks. It likely means the Chargers will retain Ryan Ficken as their special teams coordinator. Ficken has bolstered the Chargers’ special teams play the past two seasons.
