Ravens hire Michigan's Mike Macdonald as new defensive coordinator

The Baltimore Ravens are welcoming back Mike Macdonald to fill their defensive coordinator vacancy, the team announced Thursday night.

Macdonald, 34, joined the Ravens' staff as an intern in 2014 and quickly rose through the ranks of John Harbaugh's staff. By 2017, Macdonald was defensive backs coach, and then a year later he became the Ravens' linebackers coach. After three seasons in the role, Macdonald left to join Jim Harbaugh's staff at Michigan as defensive coordinator.

In his only season with the Wolverines, the team allowed 17.4 points per game, good for top 10 in the FBS. Michigan earned its first spot in the College Football Playoff, but lost an Orange Bowl semifinals game against Georgia, 34-11.

"Mike is one of us — a Raven through and through," Baltimore's John Harbaugh said in a statement. "During his initial seven seasons with us, it was evident that his leadership, intelligence and passion would earn him the opportunity to be a defensive coordinator in the NFL.

"Mike has continuously proven himself, including when he led one of the country's best defenses at Michigan last year. He is a proven play-caller who knows our system well. He also fully understands the standard of playing defense in Baltimore."

The Ravens finished 19th in points allowed in the 2021 season, ending a streak of five straight top-10 seasons. Last week, the team announced it was parting ways with Don "Wink" Martindale after 10 seasons.