Zach Orr to lean on experiences and interactions with past Ravens defensive coordinators

The Baltimore Ravens have had a recent history of hiring internally for their defensive coordinator position despite how many quality external candidates there are every year. The team trusts their system and who they bring up in it, with that mantra proving true for both players and coaches.

After seeing Mike Macdonald leave for the Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore hired inside linebackers coach Zach Orr to replace him. Despite being so young, Orr has worked under plenty of defensive coordinators as a player and coach and plans to use what he’s learned in his new role.

“I just looked for a well-detailed, organized gameplan and somebody who can lead with passion and energy – lead us, tell us what we need to do, where we need to be at, why we need to be there and how it’s going to work for us to go out there and execute and do what we need to do at a high level. So, I [will] just try to carry that over. As a defensive coordinator, I’m looking at first things first, I have to have my guys prepared from a mental standpoint and a physical standpoint. Then I like giving them answers to potential problems or to potential questions that the offense may present, and I think once you do that, you build that trust, you build that relationship, and guys will do whatever you need them to do for you.”

Orr worked under Macdonald but also saw what Don Martindale and Dean Pees had to offer before him. He even left Baltimore for a season to coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars, so Orr is ready for his time to shine.