Chargers DC Minter could be sleeper Saints candidate

By Ross Jackson

NEW ORLEANS — There are several potential candidates ties to the New Orleans Saints, all of whom would make sense as they look to fill their head coach position this offseason. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi is the in-house front-runner while former Saints staffers like Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady and former NFL head coach Jon Gruden–who has spent a lot of time with New Orleans over the last few offseasons–are all viable and understandable external candidates.

One underrated prospect the Saints should consider is Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. The former college wide receiver has quite the resume throughout his years of being groomed to become an NFL head coach at some point in his career. That preparation could make him a very enticing option for New Orleans this offseason.

Minter was listed in NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero’s list of young coaches to watch this 2025 offseason. And his name is listed for good reason.

Minter would be a first time head coach, which could give the Saints some pause. However, he isn’t like other first-time options. Not only was his Michigan defense No. 1 across multiple major categories, helping to lead the way to a perfect 15-0 season in 2023, but his defense is currently ranked No. 1 in the NFL in points allowed while also reigning supreme in several important situational statistics.

Locked On Chargers host David Droegemeier called Minter an “Up and coming young coach who really is a very strong communicator. A guy who truly understands how to break things down to a level where his players can truly understand what they’re doing and why they’re doing it.”

He has received some prime mentorship as well. Minter has spent years now working with Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, whom he followed to Los Angeles from Michigan. He also worked with John Harbaugh as an assistant coach with the Baltimore Ravens from 2017-2020. 

Minter began his coaching career in 2006 with Notre Dame under Charlie Weis, who was widely revered despite his hard-nosed approach. But more importantly, that makes Minter a part of the Bill Parcells coaching tree, a line of coaching the Saints have found a lot of success with with former coach Sean Payton and currently with Rizzi.

Not to mention Minter’s father, Rick Minter, was a head coach himself.

The younger Minter has had a lot of exposure to how to connect with the entire roster beyond just his side of the ball. And with his experience on the offensive side of the ball as a player, he has another avenue necessary in connecting across the ball. 

Minter is not a name that is being highly-touted at the moment, outside of his head coach. But with his pedigree, experience and success, his will be a name that will grow in popularity quickly this coaching cycle. New Orleans may be looking to get far away from the defensive-minded head coach after two and a half years of former coach Dennis Allen. But if they aren’t so concerned with overcorrecting, Minter could be an interesting consideration if Rizzi is not able to lock down the long-term position by season’s end.