The Baltimore Ravens knew they had a prime candidate to take over the play calling for their defense in former Ravens linebacker, Zach Orr. It’s been a long journey for Orr, but he’s finally arrived at a point he’s thought about over the years.
“Becoming a defensive coordinator was one goal of mine, so it’s just crazy to see it all come together,” Orr said during his introductory press conference. “Initially, it definitely was not … I never thought this would happen.”
The Ravens moved quickly after former defensive coordinator Mike McDonald took over as the Seattle Seahawks head coach. Orr assumed the role only one day later.
“It was crazy,” Orr said. “I didn’t even have a chance to process what happened the day before [in the AFC Championship game].
“I had conversations with [Head] Coach [John] Harbaugh starting on Monday, because we knew the possibility of things that could happen with the [coaching] staff. I was talking with him Monday, going through the interview process with him, as well as Tuesday.
[I had] two days of really detailed conversations. I talked to [the] Green Bay [Packers] on Monday. I interviewed with them Wednesday. [On] Wednesday, after the interview with Green Bay, I had another conversation with Coach Harbaugh. That’s when things really started to pick up steam.”
Orr began his coaching career in August of 2017 when he was hired by the Ravens as a defensive analyst under head coach John Harbaugh. He served that role until 2021 when he was hired by the Jacksonville Jaguars as their outside linebackers coach under head coach Urban Meyer.
The Ravens brought Orr back in 2022 when he was named their inside linebackers coach. Orr held the position last year as well.
Inside linebacker Patrick Queen ascended to a Pro Bowl level player last year. Queen had 117 tackles, five sacks and two interceptions in 2022. It’s no coincidence this season came the same year Orr arrived and the Ravens acquired fellow linebacker Roquan Smith in a blockbuster trade with the Chicago Bears.
Orr’s playing experience and deep Ravens’ ties surely helped. He was signed by the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2014. He made the 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie.
The 2016 season saw Orr start 15 games, recording 132 tackles, five passes defended, three interceptions, and a forced fumble. He was placed on injured reserve on Dec 30, 2016.
Despite the abrupt end to the season, Orr was named a second-team All-Pro.
Orr announced his retirement from the NFL on Jan 20, 2017. The retirement was due to a congenital neck/spine condition that ended his season.
“It was tough initially when I had to come in and sit with you guys the last time [in this auditorium] and hang up the cleats, hang up the pads [and] hang up the helmet, but like I said, I had great support from my family and from the organization,” Orr stated last week.
Having the opportunity to coach for a team he played for is something Orr doesn’t take lightly.
“I know what the standard is here as a defense here in Baltimore, and it means a lot to me,” Orr said. “There have] been a lot of great coaches [that] come through here [and] a lot of great defensive coordinators [that] have come through here, so yes. I’m next in line. I have a big challenge and a big opportunity, but I’m excited for it.”