Jesse Minter, the defensive coordinator, says goodbye to Michigan in a social media post.
After two seasons as Michigan’s defensive coordinator, Jesse Minter is leaving for another opportunity.
It’s unclear where he’s going — it’s rumored he’ll be in Los Angeles as Jim Harbaugh’s defensive coordinator — but Minter made it clear in a social media post on Tuesday evening that he will not be returning to Ann Arbor.
Minter arrived in Michigan and made an immediate impact. During his first year in Ann Arbor, he was a Broyles Award finalist, leading a Michigan defense that finished sixth in the NCAA in total defense, seventh in scoring and rushing defense, and seventh in pass efficiency defense. Three members of that defense (Mazi Smith, D.J. Turner II, and Mike Morris) were selected in last year’s NFL draft, and Morris was also named a second-team All-American for the 2022 season.
This past season, Michigan’s defense improved even more, allowing only 247.0 yards per game, which was better than any other team in college football. Minter’s team also had the fourth-highest turnover rate in the country (27) while allowing the fifth-fewest rushing yards (90.0), the fifth-fewest rushing touchdowns (nine), the second-fewest passing yards (157.0), and the fewest passing touchdowns (eight).
A few defenders received individual accolades, including Mike Sainristil being named an All-American by ESPN, FOX, and TSN, and Will Johnson being named an All-American by Sports Illustrated. Several players from this season’s defense will pursue NFL careers, with Sainristil among those expected to hear their names called during the April draft.
Prior to joining Michigan, Minter coached in the NFL for four seasons, all with the Baltimore Ravens, where he was the defensive backs coach in 2020. Before coming to Michigan, he worked as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Vanderbilt.
