The Baltimore Ravens are making changes to the coaching staff after falling to the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round of the playoffs. One key move is a reunion with Chuck Pagano.
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NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported on Jan. 28 that Pagano will come out of retirement to join John Harbaugh's coaching staff. The Baltimore Ravens then confirmed the news by naming Pagano the Senior Secondary Coach.
He will take over the secondary after the Baltimore Ravens defense ranked 31st in the league with 244.1 passing yards allowed per game. This is a defensive unit that allowed 27 passing touchdowns.
"It is exciting to add Coach Chuck Pagano to our defensive staff and continue to develop and grow our young and talented secondary," Harbaugh said, per the Ravens.
"Chuck brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and coaching talent to our team. He has deep ties to the program and is excited to get to work."
Pagano is no stranger to this role. He was on Harbaugh's staff from 2008-11 while holding multiple roles. He started as the secondary coach in 2008 as the Ravens went 11-5. The AFC North team defeated the Dolphins in the wild-card round and the Titans in the divisional round before falling to the rival Steelers in the AFC Championship.
In Pagano's first season as the secondary coach, the Ravens ranked second in passing defense, seventh in passing touchdowns allowed, and first in interceptions.
The veteran coach continued leading the secondary in 2009 and '10 as the Ravens reached the divisional round. He then took over as defensive coordinator in '11 as the Ravens went 12-4, won the AFC North, and reached the AFC Championship. They ultimately fell to the Patriots on a missed field goal.
Pagano departed Baltimore after the AFC Championship loss to become the head coach of the Colts. He remained in charge of the AFC South team through 2017 while posting an overall record of 53-43 and a playoff record of 3-3.
The Colts fired Pagano after a 4-12 season in 2017. He remained out of the league in 2018 before joining the Bears as defensive coordinator. He spent two seasons in Chicago before retiring. Now, he will return to a team with which he enjoyed success.
