Ravens Add Coaches, Focus on LB Depth Amid Injuries

The Baltimore Ravens have made significant coaching staff adjustments, announcing the hires of Dwayne Ledford as offensive line coach, Mike Mickens as secondary coach, and Charlie Gelman as game management coordinator. Linebackers coach Tyler Santucci will return for the upcoming season.

Santucci was instrumental last year in developing rookie linebackers Teddye Buchanan, Jay Higgins, and Chandler Martin. Buchanan emerged as a rare Day 3 starter, earning All-Rookie team honors. Undrafted free agents Higgins and Martin also impressed, with Higgins making the 53-man roster before a knee injury ended his season. Martin filled in for Higgins until his own ACL tear. Buchanan also tore his ACL, and neither he nor Martin are expected to be ready for the start of the 2026 season.

This situation places Santucci back in the challenging position of finding a partner for Roquan Smith. Internal candidates include Higgins and Trenton Simpson, who previously held the starting role. Given Smith's contract, the Ravens are unlikely to pursue a veteran free agent, but the 2026 draft class is considered strong at linebacker.

Santucci, at 37, possesses a notable coaching resume, including coordinator roles at Texas A&M, Duke, and Georgia Tech, with a focus on linebackers throughout his 15-year college coaching career.