Tag: Drew Wilkins

Ravens OLB coach Drew Wilkins reportedly not returning to coaching staff

Ravens outside linebacker coach Drew Wilkins is reportedly not returning to the team’s coaching staff

The Baltimore Ravens have undergone somewhat of a mini coaching transformation over the course of the 2022 offseason so far. Former defensive coordinator Don Martindale was replaced by Mike Macdonald, tight ends coach Bobby Engram left for the University of Wisconsin to be their offensive coordinator, and it was reported that Rob Ryan and the team parted ways. However, that’s not all.

On Friday, it was reported by Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic that Baltimore outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins will not be returning to the team. He is regarded as a young, up and coming football mind, but Zrebiec notes that Martindale was a mentor for Wilkins, so he could go wherever the Ravens’ former defensive play-caller goes.

Zrebiec also notes that there are now three known openings on head coach John Harbaugh’s coaching staff.

Baltimore finished 8-9 in 2022 after a disappointing end to their season, and are now trying to make improvements to keep up with the rest of the league. Macdonald most likely wants to bring in a few of his guys to the team to help out, so the official hires for the open positions could be familiar faces to a few within the organization in some way, shape or form.

Two Ravens coaches named to East-West Shrine Bowl coaching staff

The Ravens had two of their assistant coaches named to the East-West Shrine Bowl coaching staff

The Baltimore Ravens are an organization that has been known for developing coaches and executives for bigger roles. They have seen countless talented individuals leave the team and thrive elsewhere, showing that they have what it takes to be successful being a key part of a franchise.

On Thursday, it was announced that two Baltimore coaches were named to the East-West Shrine Bowl coaching staff in defensive backs coach D’Anton Lynn and outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins. Lynn will be the head coach of the East squad, while Wilkins will be his defensive coordinator.

While the honor for Lynn and Wilkins doesn’t mean that they’ll be leaving the Ravens, it gives them a great chance to coach some very talented football players in bigger roles than what they currently do in Baltimore. Both coaches are very deserving, and they should benefit tremendously from the opportunity.

 

Ravens OLB coach Drew Wilkins suffers injury while celebrating Justin Tucker’s game-winning field goal

Ravens OLB coach Drew Wilkins suffered a hamstring injury while celebrating Justin Tuckers’ 66-yard field goal in Week 3

The Baltimore Ravens picked up a thrilling 19-17 win against the Detroit Lions in Week 3 thanks to the leg of Justin Tucker, who booted in an NFL record 66-yard field goal as time expired to give Baltimore the victory. Pandemonium ensued on Ford Field after Tucker’s heroics, as Ravens players, coaches and more stormed the field.

With so many emotions flying, everyone reacted in different ways. There was pure excitement on the Baltimore side, while all of Detroit was in disbelief and shock. However, as the celebration ensued, a Ravens coach took a tumble, as can be seen in this video posted by the NFL (the fall happens around the 10 second mark).

The coach turned out to be outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins, who was named by head coach John Harbaugh on Monday. Wilkins apparently suffered a hamstring injury during his celebration of Tucker’s field goal.

“I’m going to name him, [outside linebackers coach] Drew Wilkins. The only reason I’m going to name him is because Drew is like … He’s philosophically opposed to exercise. (laughter) He’s made that clear over the years, kind of emphatically. He’s a staunch believer of not exercising – you can see where that gets you.”

At this point, not even coaches are safe from the Baltimore injury bug. The team has 15 players on injured reserve, and now Wilkins is nursing a hamstring injury. Hopefully the injury isn’t too serious and he begins to feel better soon

Don Martindale praises Ravens’ defensive coaches

The Baltimore Ravens lost a few coaches in the 2021 offseason. However, Don Martindale is excited about the new hires that the team made

The Baltimore Ravens went through some coaching changes during the 2021 offseason. Former defensive line coach Joe Cullen left to be the defensive coordinator of the Jacksonville Jaguars, while former linebackers coach Mike MacDonald is now the defensive coordinator at the University of Michigan.

Despite Baltimore’s losses on their defensive staff, the team added new coaches that they feel can contribute to the growth and development of their players. On a call with season ticket holders, defensive coordinator Don Martindale had high praise for multiple new coaches on the team, including linebackers coach Rob Ryan

Martindale also commented on former Ravens player and now defensive line coach and run game coordinator Anthony Weaver, who he expects to have a bright future ahead of him.

Another coach to draw praise from Martindale was outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins, who will be expected to work with and develop young prospects such as Odafe Oweh and Daelin Hayes.

Baltimore has long been regarded as a coaching factory, so the team no stranger to losing coaches to other opportunities. However, part of what makes the Ravens such a great organization is the fact that they replace their departed coaches with great new ones. The Ravens are excited about their most recent hires, and each new member of their staff should make an immediate impact on the team and it’s players.

Ravens make coaching changes on defense, special teams

The Baltimore Ravens altered titles for a handful of their coaches on defense and special teams, helping to refocus some on specific roles

The Baltimore Ravens aren’t just focusing on the 2020 NFL Draft and free agency, they’re looking within to improve. While the NFL combine kicks off, the Ravens changed around some of their coach’s titles.

Per the team’s website, they’ve changed the titles given to six coaches, both on defense and special teams.

  • Chris Horton – special teams coordinator (formerly special teams coach)
  • Randy Brown – special teams coach (formerly assistant special teams coach)
  • Chris Hewitt – pass defense coordinator (formerly defensive backs coach)
  • Sterling Lucas – defensive assistant/defensive line (formerly defensive assistant/linebackers)
  • Jesse Minter – defensive backs coach (formerly assistant defense backs coach)
  • Drew Wilkins – outside linebackers coach (formerly assistant defensive line & OLBs coach)

For Horton and Brown, it doesn’t seem to be changing their actual roles, just consolidating the hierarchy on special teams after former coordinator Jerry Rosburg retired prior to last season.

However, on defense, there appears to be some refining in the roles under defensive coordinator Don Martindale following his new contract. Wilkins is now in charge of the outside linebackers solely. Minter gets a bump up to defensive backs coach, the role vacated by Hewitt, who will now be in charge of the entire pass defense. Lucas will switch his focus from linebackers to the defensive line.

[vertical-gallery id=42644]