'Excelled at Every Level!' Ravens John Harbaugh Happy to Keep 'Homegrown' Zach Orr as Baltimore DC

The Ravens were happy to promote from within for their vacant defensive coordinator position.

The Ravens excelled on defense last season, and that performance rewarded former defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald with the head coaching job in Seattle.

When head coach John Harbaugh began his search for Macdonald's replacement, he didn't have to look very far. Harbaugh promoted inside linebackers coach Zach Orr to defensive coordinator.

“Zach is a homegrown Raven in every way,” Harbaugh said in a statement. “His energy, intelligence, work ethic and strong communication skills have been on display since the day he joined our organization as a player in 2014. From making our team as an undrafted rookie, to becoming an All-Pro linebacker, then later transitioning to an assistant coach who helped mentor multiple Pro Bowl defenders, Zach has excelled at every level of his football journey. 

"He knows our players and understands our standard as well as anyone. I’m confident that he is prepared to take on the challenge of continuing to develop our players and scheme as our next defensive coordinator.”

Orr interviewed last week with the Packers for their vacant defensive coordinator position per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, and were ready to extend an offer to Orr. 

He ultimately chose to remain in Baltimore and the Ravens decided to keep in in that same capacity.

Orr, 31, is considered a rising star on the defensive side of the ball and has been coaching at the NFL level since 2017. 

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He has been coaching the inside linebackers for the Ravens since 2022 and is considered widely responsible for the success of Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen as one of the most feared linebacker duos in the league. Both players received Pro Bowl honors in 2023.

The Ravens led the league in scoring defense and takeaways while allowing just six rushing touchdowns all season. Orr was undrafted out of North Texas in 2014 and was signed by the Ravens that same year. He was forced into retirement after the 2016 season due to the discovery of a congenital neck/spine condition.