OWINGS MILLS — The Ravens were one of the top teams in the NFL on both sides of the ball this season.
As a result, three assistant coaches are candidates for head coaching positions.
Losing coaches is a byproduct of a winning season. The Ravens finished the year at 13-4 and are the top seed in the AFC playoffs.
Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken has revitalized the team and helped guide quarterback Lamar Jackson to an MVP-caliber performance. The Ravens finished the regular season ranked sixth in overall offense (370.4 yards per game) and fourth in points per game (28.4).
Monken has spent just one year in Baltimore after helping Georgia win national championships in each of the previous two years as its offensive coordinator.
The Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Chargers have reportedly asked permission to interview Monken for the head coaching position.
Los Angeles fired coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco after a 63-21 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in mid-December. The Panthers fired coach Frank Reich in November after the team opened the season at 1-10.
Monken interviewed for the New York Jets’ head coaching position in 2019.
Dec 11, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald reacts on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers By Charles LeClaire-USA Today Sports
Mike Macdonald is also a candidate for a head coaching job in just his second year as the Ravens’ defensive coordinator. The Ravens finished the regular season as the first team in NFL history to lead the league in sacks (60), takeaways (31), and points allowed per game (16.5).
The Panthers are interested in interviewing Macdonald.
The Washington Commanders also requested to interview Macdonald for their head-coaching vacancy after Ron Rivera was fired after the regular-season finale.
The buzz around Macdonald started last month, but he is focused on helping the Ravens win a Super Bowl.
“It’s hard to ignore, and it’s an honor to hear about it,” Macdonald said. “It’s such a unique opportunity when it does come up. For guys that know me, I’m a one-track guy. It’s very difficult for me to do two things at once, so you try your best to focus on the things we need to focus on, which is the next game and getting our guys in a position to win. To have that opportunity or have your name come up like that, it’s really a reflection of our coaches and our staff together.”
Associate head coach/defensive line coach Anthony Weaver, a former player for the Ravens, could also possibly interview with the Commanders. The Ravens players have embraced Weaver’s leadership role. Weaver also has experience as a defensive coordinator with the Texans and has worked as an assistant with the Bills and Jets.
