6 realistic coaches the Ravens could hire to replace Wink Martindale

2. The Ravens could hire Mike Macdonald to replace Wink Martindale

These two entries are probably the most realistic of them all. First, let’s start with another former Ravens assistant who has taken his career to new heights since leaving, Mike Macdonald.

Macdonald joined the Ravens in 2014 as a coaching intern and gradually worked his way up through the organization serving as the team’s inside linebackers coach from 2018 to 2020.

He was held in such high regard around the football world that the University of Michigan came calling following the 2020 season and Macdonald left to be the school’s new defensive coordinator.

Macdonald not only has plenty of experience with the Ravens, but he’s now also served as the defensive coordinator under John Harbaugh’s brother, Jim.

There’s already some buzz around this happening (especially if Jim Harbaugh leaves Michigan for the NFL), so this is definitely a very real possibility.

1. The Ravens could promote Chris Hewitt to replace Wink Martindale

If I had to make an immediate guess as to who would be Wink Martindale’s replacement in Baltimore, I’d probably say Chris Hewitt. Long viewed as the future heir apparent to Martindale, Hewitt may finally receive his opportunity to shine.

It just makes too much sense. Hewitt has been with the Ravens since 2012 when he joined the team to be their defensive backs coach. That’s the role he held until 2019 when he was promoted to pass defense coordinator ahead of the 2020 season.

Hewitt has long been seen as one of the top assistants on the Ravens’ coaching staff and a future defensive coordinator at the NFL level. With 19 years of coaching experience, it’s probably about time he receives his moment in the sun.

If the Ravens are going to hire Wink Martindale’s internally, no candidate makes more sense than Chris Hewitt.