Ravens Fire Controversial Coach Steve Saunders
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Steve Saunders was often criticized by former players and fans as the Baltimore Ravens’ strength and conditioning coach.
Now, he is looking for another job.
The Ravens replaced Saunders with Scott Elliott, who just completed his fourth season in Baltimore and second as an assistant strength and conditioning coach.
This ends Saunders’ controversial tenure with the Ravens.
Saunders joined the team in 2016 and was promoted two years later, but the team dealt with numerous injuries over his tenure.
In 2021, the Ravens had 25 players land on Injured Reserve. That prompted former Ravens outside linebacker Matt Judon to criticize Saunders on social media.
Former Ravens defensive end Derek Wolfe also blamed Saunders for prematurely ending his career after dealing with hip and back injuries in 2021
Coach John Harbaugh suspended Saunders for a month in 2020 after he reportedly was not wearing a tracker or required mask required by the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols.
However, there don’t appear to be any hard feelings between Saunders and Harbaugh.
“His methods, passion, and commitment are well proven throughout his career,” Harbaugh said in a statement. “Steve helped our players be the strongest and best-conditioned athletes they could be.”
Elliott originally joined the Ravens as a coaching analyst in performance. Prior to working in Baltimore, Elliott was the owner of The Summit, a full-service fitness facility in Lawrence, Kan.
The Ravens, making staff moves, also replaced James Urban with Tee Martin as the quarterbacks’ coach. Martin, 44, enters his third season with the Ravens, having previously served as the team’s wide receivers coach.
“I am excited for Tee to take on the responsibility of being our quarterbacks’ coach,” Harbaugh said. “Tee has coached every aspect of the passing game and has played and coached the quarterback position at the highest levels. A dynamic and dedicated coach, he is a high-character individual who is uniquely qualified to build upon the foundation and success of our quarterbacks.”
