The Ravens have conducted a wide-ranging first round of interviews in their search for a head coach. The list of candidates in their case is set to grow even further, however. 
Broncos special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi is expected to interview with Baltimore, 9News’ Mike Klis reports. Rizzi spoke with the Giants earlier this month before New York ultimately hired John Harbaugh. Now, he is set to be among the options to replace Harbaugh as the Ravens’ head coach.
Rizzi has a lengthy track record as a special teams coach, something which is particularly notable since that was also the case for Harbaugh when he arrived in Baltimore in 2008. Rizzi has been a ST coordinator with the Dolphins (2011-18), Saints (2019-24) and Broncos (2025). The 55-year-old was New Orleans’ interim head coach to close out last season after Dennis Allen was fired. He reunited with longtime colleague Sean Payton last winter by joining Denver.
In addition to his brief run leading a staff with the Saints, Rizzi held the title of assistant head coach in New Orleans. He also worked as an associate head coach during his final two years in Miami. At the college level, Rizzi’s Rutgers tenure included four years as an assistant head coach. On two occasions – with Division-II New Haven from 1999-2001 and with Rhode Island in 2008 – Rizzi has worked as a standalone head coach.
That gives him more experience than some of the other candidates connected to Baltimore’s HC opening to date. Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti has left the door open to a first-time coaching hire or a second opportunity for one of the veterans on the market. Balance between staffers with a background on offense and defense has been struck so far in Baltimore’s search, but Rizzi is the only candidate to date with one on special teams.
Since the Broncos advanced to the AFC title game, Rizzi (and colleagues like Vance Joseph and Davis Webb) cannot conduct an interview this week. Over the coming days, the Ravens may wind up making a hire depending on how many more dominoes fall around the NFL. In any case, a Rizzi interview will be something to watch for once it becomes possible.
Via PFR’s HC Search Tracker, here is an updated look at where things stand for Baltimore:
- Joe Brady, offensive coordinator (Bills): Interviewed 1/18
- Anthony Campanile, defensive coordinator (Jaguars): Interviewed 1/19
- Brian Flores, defensive coordinator (Vikings): Interviewed 1/13
- Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Interviewed 1/8
- Kliff Kingsbury, former offensive coordinator (Commanders): Interviewed 1/12
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/9
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/15
- Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Chargers): Interviewed 1/14
- Matt Nagy, offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/11
- Darren Rizzi, special teams coordinator (Broncos): Interview expected
- Robert Saleh, defensive coordinator (49ers): Interviewed 1/18
- Nate Scheelhaase, pass-game coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/16
- Jim Schwartz, defensive coordinator (Browns): Interviewed 1/14
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/16
- Kevin Stefanski, former head coach (Browns): Second interview requested for 1/21
- Anthony Weaver, defensive coordinator (Dolphins): Second interview scheduled for 1/20
- Davis Webb, quarterbacks coach (Broncos): Interviewed 1/8