Coaching Vacancies Don't Slow Scouting

Posted Jan 22, 2014

Ryan MinkBaltimoreRavens.com Staff Writer@Ravens All Ryan Mink Articles



The Ravens don’t need an offensive coordinator to know what kind of players they want.


The Ravens’ search for their next offensive coordinator, and their other vacancies in the coaching staff, isn’t slowing down their scouting process at the Senior Bowl.

Director of College Scouting Joe Hortiz is in charge of making scouting assignments across the department, and has covered all positions, even ones that don’t currently have a coach.

Senior Offensive Assistant Craig Ver Steeg is monitoring the quarterbacks. Offensive Assistant Jay Harbaugh is taking notes on the running backs. Senior Defensive Assistant Steve Spagnuolo and Defensive Assistant Matt Weiss are watching the defensive backs.

They are stepping in for former departed Offensive Coordinator Jim Caldwell, Running Backs Coach Wilbert Montgomery and Secondary Coach Teryl Austin, respectively.

While Head Coach John Harbaugh is in Owings Mills interviewing offensive coordinator candidates, the rest of the Ravens’ coaching staff is at the Senior Bowl.

“Through the process, we determine a fit for the Ravens,” Hortiz said of the scouting department.

“We know a Ravens fit in terms of character, personality and scheme. All of our scouts have been around long enough that we know what we want to do in Baltimore. We know what type of offense we want to be, what type of players we want.”

The scouting department and coaching staff work in harmony, but they are still early in the process. The coaches are getting a general look at the prospects for the first time this year before they dig into film.

“Regardless of who we settle on as offensive coordinator, we’ll go through the process,” Hortiz said. “It’s not an individual’s job to determine whether they’re the right guy for the Ravens. It’s the process.”