Who is Anthony Weaver? A look at his NFL playing and coaching career

Anthony Weaver has had a long and consistent career in the NFL. He started out as a player and then became a well-respected coach. Baltimore Ravens hired him as their defensive coordinator on February 10th , 2026. This was another key step in his football career.His career shows how he gained experience, patience, and progress in the NFL, from his early days as a defensive end to managing NFL defenses from the sidelines.Weaver was born on July 28th 1980, in Abilene, Texas. He played college football at Notre Dame, where he developed into a strong defensive lineman. His performances earned him a spot in the 2002 NFL Draft.The Ravens selected him in the second round (52nd overall) of the 2002 draft. During his first stint in Baltimore (2002-2005), Weaver started 54 regular-season games and quickly became a reliable presence on the defensive line.In 2006, he signed with the Houston Texans as a free agent. He spent three seasons there, starting 44 regular-season games. Over seven NFL seasons, Weaver established himself as a disciplined and dependable defensive end before stepping away from playing.After retiring as a player, Weaver moved into coaching. He began as a graduate assistant at the University of Florida in 2010 before returning to the NFL.In 2012, he joined the New York Jets as an assistant defensive line coach under Rex Ryan. From there, his coaching career gained momentum. He worked with the Buffalo Bills and later rejoined the Texans as their defensive line coach.In 2020, the Texans promoted him to defensive coordinator which gave him his first opportunity to lead an NFL defense. Though the team faced challenges that season, the role strengthened his resume and leadership profile.He returned to the Ravens in 2021 as defensive line coach and run game coordinator. He was later promoted to assistant head coach, showing the organization’s trust in his abilities.He became the Miami Dolphins' defensive coordinator in 2024, which gave him further experience leading a high-level defense. And now he returns to Baltimore in 2026 as the defensive coordinator under new head coach Jesse Minter after spending two seasons in Miami.Anthony Weaver's career has been steadily rising thanks to his experience and connections. He knows the team's culture and defensive identity because he played for the Ravens and then coached them.With years of coaching across multiple franchises, Weaver now steps into his latest role with a blend of playing knowledge and strategic experience qualities that could shape the Ravens’ defense in the seasons ahead.