Two days after the Commanders picked Dan Quinn to be their head coach, we’ve begun to learn some of the names in contention to be his first offensive coordinator.
On Saturday, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported that Kliff Kingsbury recently interviewed with Washington and is considered a “strong candidate” for the job.
Sources: Former #AZCardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury recently interviewed for the vacant #Commanders OC job under new coach Dan Quinn. There are still more interviews to do, but Kingsbury is considered a strong candidate. pic.twitter.com/NLvlJ4QpJM
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 3, 2024
Kingsbury, 44, was the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals for four seasons and had a record of 28-37-1. Before becoming an NFL coach, Kingsbury was head coach at his alma mater — Texas Tech — for six seasons, and he was Patrick Mahomes’ college coach.
Kingsbury is a protege of the late Mike Leach, who he played quarterback for at Texas Tech from 1998-2002.
Like Leach, Kingsbury runs a version of the “Air Raid” offense. However, during his time with the Cardinals, he modified his scheme to adapt to the NFL.
Kingsbury spent the 2023 season as an analyst for the USC Trojans under Lincoln Riley. It was during the last year he developed a close relationship with the presumed No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, Caleb Williams.
The Commanders hold the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming draft and are expected to select a quarterback.