One significant change to the Ravens coaching staff this offseason is Linebackers Coach Ted Monachino leaving to become the new defensive coordinator of the Indianapolis Colts.
Monachino, 49, had been with the Ravens since 2010. He'll join former Ravens Defensive Coordinator Chuck Pagano in Indianapolis, as they coached together under John Harbaugh for two seasons in Baltimore.
"We agreed to allow him to go be the defensive coordinator in Indianapolis," Harbaugh said during Thursday's season-review press conference. "That's a great opportunity for him. It speaks to the quality of the guys that we have."
Monachino's unit has been a strength of the Ravens defense throughout his time in Baltimore. He originally joined the Ravens as the outside linebackers coach, and he focused on that area throughout his tenure.
Players like Terrell Suggs, Paul Kruger and Pernell McPhee enjoyed the best seasons of their career under Monachino's tutelage.
Monachino's departure is a tough blow to Suggs, as the two have a relationship that dates back 15 years. Monachino coached Suggs at Arizona State, and he helped the outside linebacker get his career back on track when he joined the Ravens in 2010.
"He's revamped my career," Suggs said during his Defensive Player of the Year season in 2011. "The keystone, if you ask me." The Ravens have not announced whether Monachino will bring any assistants with him to Indianapolis, or who will replace him on Harbaugh's staff.
