Baltimore Ravens' Coaching Staff Built on Past Relationships

During his time in Ann Arbor, he helped develop several future NFL quarterbacks including Jim Harbaugh (John’s brother), Elvis Grbac, and Todd Collins.

Cameron served as head coach at Indiana University (1997-2001) where Harbaugh served as an assistant in 1997 before moving on to Philadelphia. 

Long considered a quarterback guru in the NFL, the 48-year-old Cameron is credited with helping both Philip Rivers and Drew Brees reach Pro Bowl status as well as developing Gus Frerotte in Washington. 

Cameron had NFL coaching stints in Washington (quarterbacks coach), San Diego (offensive coordinator), and Miami (head coach) before coming to Baltimore last season. 

Harbaugh hopes Cameron can continue to work the same magic with quarterback Joe Flacco after a successful rookie campaign running the offense.  He figures to continue operating a run-first offense but expand the options available to Flacco in the passing game.  

On the other side of the ball, defensive coordinator Greg Mattison steps into the big shoes left behind by Rex Ryan after the former coordinator accepted the head coaching job with the New York Jets.  Mattison takes the coordinator duties after coaching the Baltimore linebackers in his first season in the NFL last year. 

Mattison spent 37 years coaching at the collegiate and high school level before finally receiving the call from Harbaugh last season.  The two coached together at Western Michigan under Jack Harbaugh, with Mattison serving as the defensive coordinator from 1981 through 1986. 

The 59-year-old coordinator coached most recently at the University of Florida (2005-2007) under Urban Meyer.  He served as the co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach of a punishing Gators defense that destroyed Ohio State, 41-14, in the 2007 BCS National Championship Game.  

Mattison also had stints at Notre Dame, Michigan, Texas A&M, Navy, Northwestern, Cornell, and Illinois. 

Faced with continuing the tradition of excellent Baltimore defense, Mattison has stressed the importance of not shaking the boat that is the Ravens’ dominating defense.  Bringing pressure was a staple of his college defenses, so he figures to follow the same principles left behind by Ryan. 

Completing the trio of top assistants with strong ties to the head coach is special teams coordinator and assistant head coach Jerry Rosburg.  Known throughout the league for his excellent special teams units, Rosburg came on board last season after Harbaugh’s hiring.

Rosburg and Harbaugh shared special teams duties at the University of Cincinnati for four years (1992-1995), building a relationship that would lead to their reunion in Baltimore. 

The 53-year-old special teams guru has operated successful special teams units in the NFL with Atlanta (2007) and Cleveland (2001-06).  His units have consistently rated in the top 10 in various categories. 

His other college experience includes stops at Notre Dame, Boston College, Minnesota, Western Michigan (a year after Harbaugh left), and Northern Michigan. 

The key members of the Ravens coaching staff also include two assistants with no direct ties to Harbaugh prior to last season.

Quarterbacks coach Hue Jackson was an instrumental figure in Flaccco’s development a season ago.

Jackson has previous experience as an offensive coordinator in Atlanta (2007) and Washington (2003) and figures to become a hot head coaching prospect if he can continue to help the talented Flacco realize his vast potential.  

His coaching versatility is also an asset, having coached the Cincinnati receivers (including Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh) from 2004 through 2006.  He also coached the running backs in Washington in 2001 and 2002.

In addition to Jackson, offensive line coach John Matsko immediately made an impact in his first season in Baltimore, building a successful offensive line that battled injuries throughout the season.  The 36-year coaching veteran has built successful lines in Kansas City, St. Louis, New York (Giants), New Orleans, and Phoenix. 

He has coached numerous Pro Bowl linemen—including Will Shields, Brian Waters, Adam Timmerman, and Willie Roaf among others—and will be entrusted to develop the Ravens’ impressive duo of offensive tackles, third-year left tackle Jared Gaither and 2009 first-round pick Michael Oher. 

The Ravens received criticism for hiring Harbaugh, a coach who had never been a head coach at any level, but the wealth of experience surrounding him has helped make a smooth transition into the head coaching position.

With the past relationships among many of his assistants, it’s easy to see why Harbaugh preaches the team—and only the team—first.  It’s a reflection of the teachings of Schembechler and his father Jack and continues with his current players and coaching staff.

The Ravens coach believes building relationships will ultimately lead to winning championships.  If the makeup of his coaching staff is any indication, the future appears bright in Baltimore.

Information from baltimoreravens.com was used in this article.

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