KEY POINTS

  • Mike Macdonald is linked to return with the Baltimore Ravens
  • Macdonald served as an assistant coach in Baltimore for seven years before joining the Michigan Wolverines in 2021
  • Don Martindale and the Ravens reportedly failed to come to terms for an extension deal

The Baltimore Ravens are opting to hire external help for their currently vacant defensive coordinator position, and their search has led them to Michigan Wolverines defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald.

The Detroit Free Press first reported on the Ravens’ interest in Macdonald after surprisingly parting ways with “Wink” Martindale last week as both sides reportedly failed to come to terms for a contract extension.

Macdonald has a history with the Ravens after serving as an assistant coach for seven seasons from 2014 to 2020 before Ravens head coach John Harbaugh referred him to his brother and Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh last year.

The 34-year-old from Boston, Massachusetts was a key part of the Wolverines’ eye-opening one-year turnaround as he led their defense from 95th in 2020 to the eight-best in the country, allowing just 17.4 points per game.

His impact as their defensive coordinator also helped senior defensive end Aidan Hutchinson’s bid for the Heisman trophy after ending the season with 14 sacks and two fumbles but finished as the first runner-up to Alabama Quarterback Bryce Young.

Macdonald’s defensive schemes with Michigan were very much inspired by Martindale.

“You look at the [Baltimore] Ravens’ defense and what Wink has been able to do and the rest of our staff, and you’re like, man, those guys are flying all over the place. And that’s kind of what we’re trying to create here [in Michigan],” Macdonald said as quoted by the Detroit Free Press.

Ravens fans have been dismayed with Martindale’s work in recent years as the franchise’s defense ranked in the bottom half of the league, according to Lineups.

Being one of the league’s most injured teams certainly contributed to them missing out on the playoffs for the first time since the 2017-18 season, but their lack of consistent play on defense allowed opposing teams to exploit them repeatedly.

Baltimore will be interviewing other candidates for the position, including Joe Cullen of the Jacksonville Jaguars, but Macdonald will certainly be the most significant name to watch out for in the coming days.

RELATED STORIES