The Arizona Cardinals continue to do their due diligence as they interview for their next head coach.
A new name has appeared, as the team has interviewed Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.
The Arizona Cardinals are interviewing Chargers DC Jesse Minter for their vacant head coach opening.
The former Mike McDonald assistant has sported a top 5 defense in his two seasons with LA. pic.twitter.com/HTFTGAgxji
— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) January 13, 2026
Mintere is a soon to be 43-year old defensive wizard, who has had two impressive seasons as a defensive coordinator in the NFL.
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His first year with the Chargers he had the top scoring defense in the NFL, helping the Chargers hold their opponents to 17.7 points per game.
This year they fell down all the way to… ninth in overall scoring. They went from 11th in defensive yards in 2024 to fifth.
So, in two years, the Chargers had two defenses in the top five in the NFL in either points or yards.
The question with Minter will be what type of reach will he have?
He has six seasons in the NFL, four with the Baltimore Ravens and John Harbaugh as a defensive assistant and defensive backs coach, then his last two years as the defensive coordinator for Jim Harbaugh at the Chargers. Minter had been with Harbaugh in Michigan as the DC as well during their national championship run.
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So, will Minter be able to bring into the fold a strong coaching staff? We have no doubt that Minter knows how to gameplan and call a defense.
Now, how would his coaching staff get filled out?
