Chargers Predicted To Lose Key Piece Of Defense After This Season

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Minter’s coaching journey has been a steady climb. He began at the collegiate level with stops at Notre Dame, Cincinnati, Indiana State, and Georgia State before landing on John Harbaugh’s staff with the Baltimore Ravens from 2017–20. From there, he joined Jim Harbaugh at Michigan, where he helped engineer one of the most dominant defenses in college football. The 2023 Wolverines rode that unit to a national championship, and when Jim left for the Chargers job, Minter was among the first staff members to follow him to Los Angeles.

The move quickly paid off. In Minter’s first year, the Chargers led the league in scoring defense, surrendering only 301 points across the season. They allowed the fewest rushing touchdowns in the NFL, ranked seventh in passing yards allowed, and finished eighth in interceptions. Even with just one All-Pro starter (safety Derwin James), Los Angeles transformed from a 5–12 disappointment in 2023 to an 11–6 playoff team in 2024.

That kind of turnaround has put Minter firmly on the radar for future openings, particularly as teams continue to favor younger head coaches. At just 42 years old, he fits the mold of the modern candidate: innovative, battle-tested, and with a proven record of maximizing talent.

Of course, speculation about his future also adds pressure to the present. The Chargers will open 2025 with expectations of building on last season’s success while competing in a loaded AFC West that includes Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, as well as an improving Denver Broncos squad. Replicating last year’s defensive dominance won’t be easy, but doing so would only strengthen Minter’s candidacy when the next coaching cycle arrives.

CBS Sports recently highlighted several coaches who could find themselves on the hot seat in 2025, including Brian Daboll (Giants) and Mike McDaniel (Dolphins). If either of those franchises moves on, Minter’s name could be near the top of their replacement lists.

For now, Minter remains focused on Week 1, when the Chargers open against Mahomes and the Chiefs in Brazil. But around the league, there’s a growing sense that it won’t be long before he gets his shot at running his own team.