Ravens Hire Mike Macdonald As New Defensive Coordinator
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The Baltimore Ravens announced Thursday the team has hired Mike Macdonald as defensive coordinator.
Macdonald spent seven seasons with the Ravens from 2014 to 2020 working as a defensive backs coach, defensive assistant and most recently a linebackers coach. He started out as a defensive coaching intern in 2014.
"Mike is one of us – a Raven through and through," head coach John Harbaugh said. "During his initial seven seasons with us, it was evident that his leadership, intelligence and passion would earn him the opportunity to be a defensive coordinator in the NFL."
McDonald is of the new breed of #NFL "wunderkind" coaches. Finance & masters degree in sports management at UGA & while in college he coached a local high school team. Youngest Ravens D coordinator ever at age 34. Coaches & front offices going w young, smart talent #Analytics https://t.co/UpUDhAmgxE
— Mark Viviano (@MarkWJZ) January 28, 2022
Macdonald left Baltimore to join Michigan as a defensive coordinator under Coach Jim Harbaugh, John Harbaugh's brother. There, according to ESPN, he "proved to be one of the most impactful [hires] in all of college football last season."
The Wolverines went 12-2, won the Big Ten for the first time since 2004 and earned their first trip to the College Football Playoff in the 2021 season. Under Macdonald, Michigan's defense was ranked 20th overall this year in yards per game, up from 87th the year before.
Two edge rushers from the unit, Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo, are projected as first-round picks in the upcoming NFL Draft.
"Mike has continuously proven himself, including when he led one of the country's best defenses at Michigan last year," John Harbaugh said. "He is a proven play-caller who knows our system well. He also fully understands the standard of playing defense in Baltimore."
The announcement comes after the Ravens parted ways with Don "Wink" Martindale last week.