Could Michigan’s Jesse Minter Be a Candidate for Jaguars Defensive Coordinator Position?

The Jacksonville Jaguars are in the second week of their search for a new defensive coordinator, a search that to this point has consisted of candidates from the NFL ranks. According to a report from Sam Webb of 247Sports, there appears to be a real chance that Michigan Wolverines defensive coordinator Jesse Minter could be looking for a job in the NFL in 2024, whether with Jim Harbaugh or without him. Could that include him looking at the Jaguars’ vacancy? Webb reports that it could, saying Minter is “a leading candidate” to be the Jaguars’ coordinator and “could have that job if he wants it,”. Minter, 40, has NFL experience but has never been a coordinator at the NFL level. After four seasons as the defensive coordinator at Georgia State from 2013-2016, Minter held his first NFL job as a defensive assistant in 2017. In 2019, Minter was promoted to assistant defensive backs coach. In 2020, he was promoted again by Baltimore to defensive backs coach. After serving as defensive coordinator and safeties coach for Vanderbilt in 2021, Minter has spent the last two years as Harbaugh’s coordinator at Michigan. Minter is the direct successor of former Wolverines coordinator and current Ravens coordinator Mike Macdonald. Michigan finished No. 1 in total defense in 2023 and No. 2 in pass defense as they went undefeated and won the national championship. The Jaguars are looking for a new defensive coordinator after firing former coordinator Mike Caldwell a week ago. The Jaguars also fired seven other defensive assistants, leaving only three of Pederson’s 11 defensive staff members left.

Real Recognize Real report (1/18) – Reading into Harbaugh’s second interview with the Falcons

Harbaugh’s second interview with Atlanta isn’t just noteworthy news on the Falcons front, it’s noteworthy on the Chargers front also.

The Michigan football team’s playoff run may be complete, but plenty of former Wolverines are chasing a championship of their own in the NFL Playoffs, which continue with the divisional round games taking place this week.

Though nine Wolverines saw their teams eliminated last weekend (see more on them in the second half of this story), 14 former Michigan players remain alive in the NFL playoffs. That includes eight players slated to be starters in this weekend’s games.

Take a look at all 23 players’ seasons below, as well as what to expect in this weekend’s games.

Just like his team, Nico Collins has enjoyed an exceptional breakout season. The former Michigan started a healthy 927 receiving yards and three touchdowns in his first two seasons, but burst onto the national scene with 80 catches, 1,287 yards (eighth in the NFL) and eight touchdowns (also eighth). That included an exceptional week 18 performance, in which he recorded nine catches for 195 yards and a touchdown. 

He and the Texans (10-7 regular season, 1-0 playoffs) have won four of five to advance to the divisional round. Last week in his playoff debut, Collins caught six passes for 96 yards and a touchdown, and added a four-yard run in Houston’s 45-14 win

The Ravens have three former Michigan players on their roster, but none are currently expected to play in the playoffs. Ojabo played in three games this season, recording six tackles, one sack and one forced fumble before missing the rest of the season with season-ending ACL injury. 

Mason and Ross are on the practice squad and not expected to play in the playoffs. Mason has played one game this season, making his NFL debut with 20 snaps (19 on special teams) in Baltimore’s Week 18 loss to Pittsburgh. Ross played in three games for the Ravens this fall, playing 69 special teams snaps.