The Ravens’ defensive staff was dismantled as other teams around the league chose to give various assistants options for upward mobility, despite leading the league in score defence and finishing sixth in yards allowed this season. The process of appointing successors to Zach Orr’s defensive coordinator team has now begun.
Two recent additions to Baltimore’s roster are from the collegiate football ranks. First, according to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, Doug Mallory, a defensive analyst for the University of Michigan, is switching from one Harbaugh to another. Mallory goes to Charm City to work with John Harbaugh, the older brother of his former coach, after working with Jim Harbaugh in Ann Arbour. Mallory will assume the position of defensive backs coach.
Another former member of the collegiate staff will take over Orr’s prior role as inside linebackers coach. Bruce Feldman of The Athletic reports that Mark DeLeone, a former defensive consultant for the University of Kansas, is anticipated to take up his new boss’s previous role as inside linebacker coach. Over the years, DeLeone has coached the Chiefs, Bears, and Lions at the same position group.
The only spot left to fill would be the defensive line coaching position left open by new Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, with Chuck Smith perhaps keeping on as outside linebackers coach.
For the AFC runner-ups, the following coaching updates are available:
Wilson, Weaver, and defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald had already left, as we had already been informed. Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic gave an update on a handful more employees that aren’t anticipated to be back in 2024. Kerry Dickson, the assistant quarterbacks coach, and Mike Devlin, the assistant offensive line coach, will not return for the 2019–20 season. Devlin will take over as the offensive line coach for the Chargers. Assistant T.J. Weist is also not anticipated to return for special teams. Furthermore, Scott Cohen, the director of football research, Craig Ver Steeg and James Urban, senior analysts, will not be continuing in their positions in 2024.
Chris Hewitt, a veteran employee, has once again been recognised for his longevity despite all of the changes and additions. Since 2012, Hewitt has been a coaching assistant for the Ravens. He began his career as an assistant special teams coach and progressed to assistant secondary coach, defensive backs coach, defensive coordinator, game coordinator, and secondary coach. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, Hewitt will continue to serve as the defence unit’s coordinator for the pass game in 2024, but he will also hold the title of associate head coach. Weaver has already held the title.
