'Something Special Here!' Ravens' Todd Monken, Mike Macdonald Not Focused On Head Coaching Interest
While the present for the Baltimore Ravens is focused on the playoffs, their coaching staff may look much different heading into next season.
Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald and assistant coaches have been at the center of coaching searches throughout the league. While Baltimore's coordinators and assistants will inevitably get promotions with other franchises, whether it's as a head coach or a coordinator, Monken's focus isn't on where he may be coaching next.
Head coach John Harbaugh (middle), offensive coordinator Todd Monken (left) and defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald (right)
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"The bottom line is we have a chance to do something special here," Monken said. "Our team and our focus is on this week, where we're headed, finding out this weekend who we're playing [in the Divisional round] and then coming up with a great gameplan giving us the best chance to be successful next week."
Monken, who is in his first season as the offensive coordinator, has been the architect of a Ravens offense that led the league in rushing yards (156.5) and was fourth in points per game (28.4). Quarterback Lamar Jackson is in line to win the second MVP of his career, as he threw for a career-high 3,678 yards with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also ran for 821 yards and five touchdowns.
Monken has interviewed for head coaching vacancies with the Los Angeles Chargers and Carolins Panthers.
Macdonald has become one of the most popular options in this coaching cycle for his work guiding the Ravens defense. They led the league in sacks (60), points allowed per game (16.5) and tied for first in turnovers (31). He has interviewed with the Panthers and Atlanta Falcons and has requests from the Washington Commanders, Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans.
The defense's success has led to defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson interviewing for the New York Giants defensive coordinator position and passing game coordinator Chris Hewitt interviewing for the same position with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
"We have phenomenal people here, and the organization and the team has helped us put us in these types of situations [and with] all these coaches, you understand what type of talented people that we have," Macdonald said. "So, I'm excited for the coaches that have opportunities that definitely deserve it – phenomenal human beings, great leaders, great coaches – so you're rooting for them throughout the process, and I think that also, we all understand that there's a mission here involved as well."
