Surging Chargers defense makes Jesse Minter a hot coaching candidate

The Chargers’ defense has emerged as the driving force behind a late-season push, and coordinator Jesse Minter is drawing fresh attention as a potential NFL head coach. With quarterback Justin Herbert playing through a broken non-throwing hand behind a makeshift offensive line and a fluctuating run game, Los Angeles (10-4) has leaned on its defense to keep pace. In the past two weeks, including a 16-13 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Minter’s unit has shown versatility and playmaking that have scouts taking note.

In a 22-19 overtime win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 8, the Chargers’ defense forced five takeaways, didn’t allow a red-zone touchdown in two opportunities and held strong on third down (4 of 13).

To complete the Chargers’ season sweep of the Chiefs, the defense generated five sacks, allowed 2.3 yards per carry and kept Mahomes largely contained. Minter deployed linebacker Daiyan Henley as a spy after Mahomes scrambled for a 12-yard touchdown on Kansas City’s opening drive, helping the Chiefs reach the end zone only once the final 53:52.

“I’m Jesse Minter’s biggest fan,” Harbaugh said. “I don’t know of anybody who’s a bigger fan of Jesse Minter than I am. In fact, the Harbaughs love the Minters.” The son of longtime coach Rick Minter, Jesse got his NFL seasoning under John Harbaugh in Baltimore starting in 2017 before joining Jim Harbaugh at Michigan in 2022. Minter then followed Harbaugh to Los Angeles after helping the Wolverines win the national championship, and he has overseen two outstanding defenses for the Chargers. They rank second in yards allowed (279.1) and sixth in yards per play (4.95) this season, elevating their performance just in time for the stretch run.

If the defense can maintain this strong form into January, other teams might have to wait a little longer before trying to hire Minter. Popular ReadsAfter struggling to come away with takeaways to start the season, the defense has 10 interceptions in the past five games, including picking off Jalen Hurts and Mahomes five times in its last two outings. Herbert and the offense are doing just enough to pull out victories, but it’s hard to see a meaningful path to Super Bowl contention without significant improvement. Herbert was sacked four times and took 12 more hits, while the running back duo of Omarion Hampton and Kimani Vidal generated just 3.48 yards per carry. Edge defenders Tuli Tuipulotu and Odafe Oweh each had two sacks as the Chargers’ defensive front had its way with a depleted Chiefs offensive line. Tuipulotu is up to 12 sacks this season, and Oweh has six in nine games since being traded to Los Angeles. RG Mekhi Becton’s first season with the Chargers continues to be a major disappointment, with another injury leaving him platooning with the recently acquired Trevor Penning on Sunday. Los Angeles can easily get out of Becton’s two-year contract in the offseason, and the 26-year-old has not given a compelling reason to be brought back.

S R.J. Mickens sustained a shoulder injury that, combined with Tony Jefferson’s ejection, left the Chargers short-handed at the position. Harbaugh said there would be more information on Mickens’ status by Wednesday.

2013 — The Chargers swept the season series against the Chiefs for the first time since 2013. Keenan Allen was a rookie wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers that year, which was also Andy Reid’s first as Kansas City's coach. The Chargers, who play at Dallas on Sunday, will almost certainly need AFC West leader Denver to stumble against Jacksonville to have any chance of extending the division race another week.

With the defense playing at a high level as January approaches, Minter’s name is likely to surface in discussions for open jobs around the league, even as the Chargers aim to finish this season with a sustained push toward a possible postseason run.