"Dean Pees is the first to admit that he's been pretty spoiled over a 39-year coaching career.

In his first job, as the defensive coordinator at the University of Findlay in Ohio, Pees celebrated a Division II national championship. He's coached under Lou Holtz, Nick Saban, Bill Belichick and now John Harbaugh. In eight seasons as an NFL assistant, Pees hasn't had to deal with anything worse than a 10-6 regular season.

Pees' latest opportunity – one that Harbaugh and some of his players said couldn't have been any more deserving – came Friday when the Ravens handed Pees the key to their vaunted defense, and empowered him with the task of making sure the group's tradition of dominance continues.

"It's an incredible opportunity to be a defensive coordinator for anybody in this league, at any level, but it's especially humbling to be one for the Baltimore Ravens," Pees said. "There has been a strong tradition here throughout the years. I can't say enough about our defensive room and what it's like to be a part of that."

The Ravens named Pees, 62, the team's new defensive coordinator, while Harbaugh announced that offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and assistant head coach/ special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg also will return.

The announcement came one day after the team's former defensive coordinator, Chuck Pagano, was introduced as the new head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, and just five days after the Ravens' season ended with a stunning 23-20 loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC championship game."