Wink's track record developing assistant coaches...

nickespitia · Feb 14, 2024

I've mentioned this if a few other posts but I think it warrants it's own thread. One of the biggest positives of brining Wink in is his track record of developing assistant coaches. I know there has a bit of concern that he'll only be here for a year or two and then go back to the NFL. I think that is ok provided he is able to develop the assistants the same way he was able to in Baltimore. While Minter and MacDonald may have "passed the teacher" in terms of coordinating this defense they did not have the same track record in terms of developing the assistants working under them. This makes sense given they are new coordinators but did make it harder to elevate guys like Elston or Clink. If the proposed hires go through you're looking at a group of positions coaches who are young, great recruiters, and have the potential do really develop with strong mentorship. There should be a clear succession plan in place if/when Wink goes back to the NFL or retires. To illustrate this point I've listed his staff when he was the Raven's DC from 2019 - 2021.

2019

DL - Joe Cullen (--> Jags DC --> Chiefs DL coach. Had DC opportunities this year)
LB - Mike MacDonald (--> Michigan DC --> Ravens DC --. Seattle Seahawks HC)
Assistant LB - Drew Wilkins (--> Ravens OLB coach --> NYG OLB coach --> NE Patriots OLB coach)
DB - Chris Hewitt (Raven's Pass game coordinator and secondary coach)
Assistant DB - Jesse Minter (--> Vandy DC --> Michigan --. Chargers DC)
Quality Control - Sterling Lucas - (--> Ravens assistant DL --> Jags assistant DL coach --> DE/OLB coach South Carolina - very well respected)

2020

DL - Joe Cullen (--> Jags DC --> Chiefs DL coach. Had DC opportunities this year)
Assistant DL - Sterling Lucas (--> Jags assistant DL coach --> DE/OLB coach South Carolina - very well respected)
LB - Mike MacDonald (--> Michigan DC --> Ravens DC --. Seattle Seahawks HC) Assistant DL
OLB - Drew Wilkins (--> Ravens OLB coach --> NYG OLB coach --> NE Patriots OLB coach)
Passing Game coordinator - Chris Hewitt (Raven's Pass game coordinator and secondary coach)
DB - Jesse Minter (--> Vandy DC --> Michigan --. Chargers DC)

2021

Defensive line/run game coordinator – Anthony Weaver (--> Miami DC)
Assistant defensive line – Jason Brooks (--> Steelers DQC)
Inside Linebackers – Rob Ryan (--> Raiders senior defensive assistant)
OLB - Drew Wilkins (--> Ravens OLB coach --> NYG OLB coach --> NE Patriots OLB coach)
Assistant linebackers – Jay Peterson (???)
Defensive backs – D'Anton Lynn (--> UCLA DC --> USC DC)
Passing defense coordinator – Chris Hewitt (Raven's Pass game coordinator and secondary coach)

Most of these guys were able to learn the system and move up the ranks pretty quickly. If they did not move up the ranks they at least have been pretty consistently employed. During this time period Wink worked with 11 assistants. 1 would go on to be a head coach and 5 would go on the be DCs elsewhere. This could end up being a very good hire. There is enough talent on the defense for Wink to be immediately successful and if after a year or two folks start to catch up to his fastball there could be a group of young and upcoming play callers ready to take over.

speedboys · Feb 14, 2024