Jesse Minter played a major role in winning a national championship as a college assistant coach, and the Pittsburgh Steelers think he could lead them to a Super Bowl title someday.

Now the Los Angeles Chargers’ defensive coordinator, Minter, is scheduled to interview on Saturday for the Steelers’ head coach vacancy, along with Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. The Steelers interviewed two Los Angeles Rams’ assistant coaches on Friday – defensive coordinator Chris Shula and pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase – as they look to replace Mike Tomlin, who resigned on Tuesday.

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Minter has already interviewed for seven other head coaching vacancies, talking with the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins, and Tennessee Titans.

The Steelers have also asked for permission to interview Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak, and Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.

Minter, 42, concluded his second season with the Chargers (11-7) last weekend when they lost to the New England Patriots in an AFC Wild Card playoff game. During the regular season, the Chargers were fifth in the NFL in total defense and ninth in scoring defense. In 2024, they ranked first in points allowed and 11th in total yards given up.

Minter spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons as the defensive coordinator at the University of Michigan. The Wolverines reached the College Football Playoff both years and won the national championship in 2023. Minter then joined Jim Harbaugh when the head coach left the college ranks to take over the Chargers.

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Minter’s only other NFL experience was as the Ravens’ defensive backs coach from 2020-21. He was also elevated to defensive coordinator late in the 2021 season following Don “Wink” Martindale’s departure.

Minter has coaching bloodlines as his father, Rick Minter, was once the head coach at the University of Cincinnati.

Jesse Minter played college football at Mount Union, a Division III powerhouse in Alliance, Ohio. He was then a college assistant at Cincinnati, Indiana State, Georgia State, and Notre Dame before joining the Ravens in the NFL in 2020.