Tag: Coaching Search

Commanders HC candidate led NFL in this type of TDs in 2023

If Ben Johnson is Washington’s next coach, the Commanders will run the ball.

In Friday’s Commanders’ head-coaching search came this tweet from John Keim.

Johnson is a prime candidate to become a head coach during this 2024 hiring cycle. One of the features of Johnson’s running game has been his play-action game. In fact, the Lions led the NFL in touchdowns from play-action while their quarterback was under center.

One memorable feature is that Johnson is content to not gain much yardage on many runs. He continues to call for run plays in the course of games when the Lions are actually having difficulty running.

Why?

He firmly believes that if you run it enough, the defense will take your run game seriously. Consequently, incorporating the play-action fake will increase your odds of hitting some key passing plays later in a game.

In 2022, late in a game against the Vikings, Johnson and the Lions led Minnesota 31-23 at the two-minute warning. However, the Lions faced a 3rd & 7. Johnson did not simply want to run the ball on 3rd 7, most likely giving the ball back to Kirk Cousins with more than enough time to score late.

Johnson had Pro Bowl tackle Penei Sewell go in motion and be the lead blocker for a simple off-tackle run that only gained one yard. On 2nd & 9, Johnson had a receiver go in motion for a simple dive play up the middle for a mere two yards, setting the stage for the 3rd & 7 play.

Johnson could have safely called for another run between the tackles, forcing the Vikings to use one of their remaining timeouts and then punt the ball deep to the Vikings.

Quarterback Jared Goff was again under center, sending Sewell again in motion. Goff took the snap, this time faked the between-the-tackles running play, looked up, and fired a pass to, of all people, Sewell, who was understandably wide open in the flat for the first down.

Move the chains, the Vikings use up their last time out, and the Lions run out the clock; Lions win.

Meanwhile, Washington offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. in 2023, came under heavy criticism for repeatedly choosing to have Sam Howell drop back, too often not employing a play-action fake, nor having Brian Robinson run the ball enough to take off some of the pass rush towards Howell.

 

More proof that it’s a new era in Washington

A combination of current NFL coaches and front-office personnel voted the Commanders as the NFL’s top coaching vacancy. Times are changing.

The Josh Harris ownership group officially purchased the Washington Commanders on July 20. Harris immediately went to work, as he and his partners made $40 million in improvements to FedEx Field.

However, that didn’t translate into success on the field. The Commanders won only one home game — in Week 1 — and finished 4-13, with eight consecutive losses to end the season.

While fans were excited about Harris buying the team from Snyder, another lost season had many questioning why Harris wouldn’t fire former head coach Ron Rivera during the season. Patience. Harris took over too late in the year to make wholesale changes, so he stuck to his word and gave Rivera the entire season.

The day after the season, he fired Rivera and immediately began his search for the next general manager and head coach. Four days after firing Rivera, Harris agreed to terms with Adam Peters as Washington’s next general manager. It was considered a coup as Peters was atop the wish lists of every team needing a new GM. Peters had turned down multiple opportunities in recent years, and this time, he picked Washington as much as Harris picked him.

Next up for the Commanders is finding a new head coach.

Washington’s coaching vacancy is an attractive one for multiple reasons. The No. 2 overall pick, a strong quarterback class, tons of cap space and new ownership that is willing to spend are some of the reasons why the Commanders are such an attractive destination in 2024.

Charles Robinson and Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports recently polled six NFL sources — three on the personnel side and three on the coaching side — to rank the seven open head coaching jobs, and, no surprise, Washington came out on top.

Sentiment surrounding the Commanders illustrates perfectly how wary coaches and executives are about team ownership. A year ago, candidates would avoid Dan Snyder’s team at most costs. The Commanders are now the darling among top candidates, even though they haven’t produced a winning season in eight years. League sources believe Josh Harris’ new team ownership group is committed to investing in winning. They’re eager to come in contemporaneously with a new general manager rather than afterward. Harris gained further clout when he lured San Francisco 49ers assistant general manager Adam Peters to be his general manager. And while some sources favor a Chargers team with a proven top-10 quarterback, the next-best scenario to having a quarterback in place is seeing a clear path to obtaining that quarterback. Drafting No. 2 overall in a QB-rich year is gold. C.J. Stroud in Houston, anyone?

The prospect of a new team owner, general manager, head coach and quarterback all turning over within a year opens possibilities.

“If you’re taking over as the head coach and you want to instill your culture and your belief system, it’s a truly blank slate,” one coach said. “To me, that’s more important to long-term success than anything.”

And one more quote about the Commanders:

Exciting new ownership group, and it speaks volumes the fact that they were able to hire Adam Peters, who could have had any GM job he’s wanted for years now,” a polled coach said. “I think that shows you how attractive this place is.

A new era indeed.

Will Raheem Morris return to coach the Commanders?

Raheem Morris should be a serious contender to be Washington’s next head coach.

One of the potential candidates for Washington’s head coaching job has coached here in the DMV previously.

Morris spent time as the defensive backs coach for the Redskins in the 2012, 2013 and 2014 seasons.

During that 2012 season, Washington won the NFC East (10-6) as Alfred Morris rushed for 1,613 yards and quarterback Robert Griffin added 815 more yards on the ground.

That 2012 coaching staff included HC Mike Shanahan, OC Kyle Shanahan, DC Jim Haslett, OL Chris Foerster, QB Matt LaFleur, OA Mike McDaniel, TE Sean McVay, DB Raheem Morris, LB Bob Slowik, and DA Bobby Slowik.

Shanahan, LaFleur, McDaniel and McVay have all not only succeeded in the NFL as position coaches and coordinators, but also as head coaches. Slowik is succeeding in his first year as an offensive coordinator in Houston with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.

Morris, on the other hand, had the misfortune of being offered the head coaching job of the Tampa Bay Bucs earlier in 2009. Morris had been a position coach (DB) in the NFL, but not yet an NFL coordinator. Having been with the Bucs 2002-05 and again in 2007-08, Bucs ownership saw potential in Morris.

The Bucs ownership had experienced a tough time with Jon Gruden’s personality. He was so strong-willed, so controlling. Jon was much different than his brother, Jay. He was a bully, verbally lashing out often at many.

Ownership determined they could not go that route again, so they intentionally hired someone much less experienced, who had not yet developed any power in the NFL, someone they could control and manage much easier.

Morris was young and could not refuse the offer. But he was too quickly moved up to head coach, though he had not yet been an NFL coordinator. Ownership was overreacting to the problems they experienced with Jon Gruden.

Morris lasted three seasons, 2009-11, as the Bucs head coach before they moved on. Since that time, Morris, however, has gained very valuable experience as an NFL position coach, coordinator, and assistant head coach with the Falcons and Rams. For good reason, he has been employed in the NFL every season since 2007.

Morris was not yet ready to be a head coach that first time, but it was also 2009. Morris today has had the necessary experience, has done well, and has built his reputation as an NFL teacher, leader, and communicator.

Raheem Morris will again be an NFL head coach soon, and he is much more prepared for the task.

Might Morris be the next head coach of the Commanders?

NFL insider makes his prediction on the Commanders’ next coach

Another prediction for Ben Johnson to Washington.

The Washington Commanders have a general manager. On Monday, the team officially hired former San Francisco 49ers assistant GM Adam Peters, who was introduced to the media a day later.

Next up for Peters and the Commanders is to find a head coach. Last week, Washington held virtual interviews with Ravens defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald and associate head coach/defensive line coach Anthony Weaver.

The Commanders will interview Cowboys DC Dan Quinn, Lions OC Ben Johnson, and Rams DC Raheem Morris this week. It’s unknown when they will interview Texans OC Bobby Slowik and Lions DC Aaron Glenn.

Will the Commanders expand their search with Peters now on the job?

Since the regular season ended, several NFL insiders have said they believe that Johnson is Washington’s top target. You can add another one to that list.

On Wednesday, Dan Graziano of ESPN predicted Johnson to the Commanders.

New Commanders owner Josh Harris already landed his top target for GM in Adam Peters. Many people around the league believe Harris has been focused on Johnson as his top choice for coach, though there are some who think Slowik and Macdonald are still possibilities.

Harris’ process so far has been thorough but not slow. I believe he really wants Johnson, and he and Peters are in position to make that happen — even if it’s just about getting an agreement in place that can’t be finalized until after the Lions’ season ends.

Johnson’s Lions host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Divisional Round this weekend, but he will interview with the Commanders virtually on Friday.

 

Could Mike Vrabel be an option for the Commanders as their next head coach?

Should the Commanders be seriously considering Mike Vrabel as their next head coach?

Now that Adam Peters is in place as the general manager of the Washington Commanders, their search for a new head coach is up next on the agenda.

Washington initially requested permission to speak with seven assistant coaches from other teams — all seven assistants were on NFL playoff teams. Washington interviewed a pair of Ravens’ assistants last week: Defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald and associate head coach/DL coach Anthony Weaver.

Since the Commanders requested permission early last week to interview these potential coaches, some interesting developments occurred later in the week. The Patriots and legendary coach Bill Belichick parted ways. And the Titans fired head coach Mike Vrabel.

While some wanted to connect Belichick to the Commanders, that’s not happening. But what about Vrabel?

Could Peters expand his search now that he’s officially a part of the organization? Could Vrabel be a candidate?

In his latest mailbag for Sports Illustrated, Albert Breer brought up Vrabel’s name when asked if he had a prediction regarding who he believed would be the Commanders next head coach.

Since new GM Adam Peters just got there, I’d say it’s wide open. There’s also not an obvious natural fit from his background—maybe Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik would be the easiest connection to draw on.

So I think Josh Harris, Rick Spielman, Bob Myers, Mitch Rales, David Blitzer, Magic Johnson and Peters will go and run a real search, one without a predetermined outcome. And if I had to pull one hint out of all that Peters dropped at his press conference, I’d say that it’d have to be how he said he’d be looking for a leader rather than someone specifically from one side of the ball or the other.

Remember, while Peters was around Kyle Shanahan the past seven years, he also saw Robert Saleh and DeMeco Ryans embody that sort of leadership quality. Which actually made me think that maybe this job is a good fit for Mike Vrabel. And it just so happens, for what it’s worth, that Peters got his start in the NFL with six years of scouting in New England (2003–08) while Vrabel was a player.

That’s interesting, for sure. Since Washington doesn’t need to request permission to speak with Vrabel, perhaps the two sides have already spoken.

When asked on Tuesday about the qualities he looks for in a head coach, Peters didn’t hesitate.

“We’re looking for the best leader for this team, for the Washington Commanders,” Peters said. “And so, we have set criteria that we’re going to have it be aligned in that vision. And it’s not going to be in a box. It’s not going to be offense, it’s not going to be defense. It’s going to be the best leader for this organization.”

A leader of men: That fits Vrabel to a tee. Some were surprised the Titans let him go. There was speculation he could replace Belichick in New England, but the Patriots moved quickly to promote Jared Mayo.

While some would argue that Vrabel is a retread, that’s simply not true. He can coach, and he’s respected by players. The key for Vrabel would be who he hires as an offensive coordinator since the Commanders are likely going to select a young quarterback in the NFL draft.

We speculated about the possibility of Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith possibly landing an interview.

Washington’s search for its next head coach could become clearer after this weekend’s Divisional Round, with several of its candidates coaching in the four games.

Former Commanders HC Ron Rivera still wants to coach

Ron Rivera still wants to coach, even as a defensive coordinator.

The Washington Commanders fired head coach Ron Rivera last week, one day after finishing 4-13. In his four years with Washington, Rivera had a record of 26-40-1.

After Washington moved on from Rivera, he released a statement thanking the organization, players and fans.

Over the past week, the Commanders have hired a new general manager, Adam Peters, and requested permission to speak to seven potential head coaching candidates to replace Rivera.

Rivera, 62, is thinking about his next move. He still wants to coach, and there are some opportunities available to him.

“I have several opportunities right now,” Rivera told John Keim of ESPN. “I just want to make sure it’s the right one.”

What are those opportunities?

Rivera said he would be fine going back to a defensive coordinator role, a job he hadn’t held in an official capacity since 2010 when he left the San Diego Chargers to become head coach of the Panthers.

When he fired defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio the day after a 45-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day, Rivera assumed control of the defense. It was a role he enjoyed.

“Sometimes you do have to take a step back,” Rivera said. “You take a step back you learn and grow from it. It’s like I told other players, if you look at this year as a lost year, you’re [hurting] yourself. You should look at it as a year to learn and understand why things happen. This was probably the greatest learning experience I’ve had in a while this year. I mean, a lot of things came to light at certain times this past season that I think going forward will really help me.”

This wasn’t the first time Rivera made these types of comments. Late in the 2023 season, Rivera told reporters he felt like he was finally coaching again after managing for 3.5 years.

The comments seemed curious at the time because when former owner Dan Snyder hired Rivera, he gave him complete control of all football operations. Rivera hired his own general manager but remained in control of all personnel decisions.

Of course, no one could’ve imagined what Rivera would go through during his four seasons as head coach. The team changed its name multiple times, and there were countless controversies regarding Snyder that predated Rivera’s tenure, which eventually led to the franchise being sold.

However, while Rivera showed good leadership in guiding the franchise through difficult times, his teams routinely struggled on the field, and his personnel decisions were even worse.

There are currently seven head coaching vacancies in the NFL, two of which are Rivera’s former teams, so you can rule out him landing in Carolina or Washington. Still that’s five teams that will need defensive coordinators, while other teams, such as the Jaguars and Giants, are looking for a new defensive boss.

Could another offensive-minded coach be on the Commanders’ radar?

Will Adam Peters expand his list of coaching candidates?

The Washington Commanders have a general manager. On Tuesday, Adam Peters was introduced to the Washington media, one day after signing a five-year contract to head the franchise’s football operations.

The next step for Washington and Peters is to find a head coach.

Last week, the Commanders requested permission to speak with seven potential head coaching candidates:

  • Lions OC Ben Johnson
  • Lions DC Aaron Glenn
  • Ravens DC Mike MacDonald
  • Ravens AHC/DL coach Anthony Weaver
  • Rams DC Raheem Morris
  • Cowboys DC Dan Quinn
  • Texans OC Bobby Slowik

Most of these candidates have either interviewed with Washington or will interview this week. Peters wasn’t yet hired when the Commanders interviewed MacDonald and Weaver, although he will be if there is another round of interviews.

Some consider Johnson to be Washington’s top target. What does that mean? Nothing. While the Commanders may like Johnson, he could get another offer with more money or more power and choose that offer. Or, Peters could meet with Johnson and decide to go in another direction.

It’s a bit early to claim a favorite.

With Peters now at the head of football operations, will he expand beyond the seven initial candidates?

Frank Smith is the offensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins were phenomenal on offense in 2023. However, Smith isn’t a household name because he doesn’t call plays. Head coach Mike McDaniels calls plays. But, Smith has quietly emerged in some places as a candidate. He’s scheduled at least two interviews for this cycle.

Could Peters bring the 42-year-old Smith in for an interview?

There are connections. While Smith has never worked in the same building as Peters, McDaniel worked in San Francisco for five seasons with Peters. McDaniel brought Smith to Miami in 2022.

While Smith has experience under McDaniel, Sean Payton gave him his first NFL job with the Saints back in 2010. He’s also worked for the Raiders under Jon Gruden. Payton and Gruden are highly respected offensive minds.

Ben Volin covers the NFL for The Boston Globe and is also hearing Johnson in connection to the Commanders. But he also brought up Smith’s name in a recent appearance on “The Sports Junkies” on 106.7 The Fan in Washington, D.C.

“You look at how Harris runs some of his other teams, it’s the young, analytics-based guys, and Peters is 44 and comes from the organization that everyone wants to try to emulate right now,” Volin said via Lou DiPietro of Audacy.

“I gotta think that they’re gonna look for a similar profile with their head coach. It looks like they probably want a young, good-looking offensive coach. The two names that you keep hearing are Ben Johnson, who several teams want him, and then Frank Smith, the offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins, who has been getting a lot of buzz – I actually heard a few weeks ago that he might be the favorite in Washington – but I think it will come down to that type of coach. It’s a new day in Washington.”

If Peters and the Commanders do prefer Johnson, MacDonald, Slowik or any of the other coaches whose teams remain in the playoffs, he can take his time. That would favor someone like Smith having the chance to interview with Washington.

Will it happen? It seems unlikely, but Peters may view things differently based on feedback he’s received from others he trusts.

Josh Harris’ advisors played key role in Commanders landing GM Adam Peters

Josh Harris’ search for a new GM was “thorough and rapid,” and his advisory committee

Thorough and rapid. That’s how Washington Commanders managing partner Josh Harris described his search for a general manager last week.

Harris met with the media last Monday — the day after Washington’s season-ending loss to the Cowboys. By Friday, he had hired San Francisco 49ers assistant GM Adam Peters as the team’s new general manager.

Over two days last week, Harris and members of his advisory committee, Bob Myers and Rick Spielman, met with five assistant GMs from other franchises. After the initial set of interviews, Harris narrowed the list to Peters and Chicago Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham.

Peters and Cunningham would undergo another interview, with Harris and his advisors meeting with minority partners Mitchell Rales, Magic Johnson, and David Blitzer to finalize their decision.

In his weekly column for Sports Illustrated, Albert Breer highlighted the impact of Myers and Spielman in the process of hiring Peters.

Breer noted that Spielman began working with Harris on the weekend of Week 16. That’s the week when the Commanders played the New York Jets on Christmas Eve. However, it was Myers, a longtime friend of Harris from their time in the NBA, who first reached out to Spielman to gauge his interest in meeting with Harris.

Harris made it clear no decision had been made on head coach Ron Rivera’s future, but he wanted to have a list of candidates ready if he moved on from Rivera. So, Spielman, the longtime Minnesota Vikings general manager, accepted Harris’ offer to join his advisory committee, along with Myers, Harris, and his minority owners Mitchell Rales, Magic Johnson, and David Blitzer.

Spielman went to work on creating a list for a new head of football operations and a head coach.

Spielman’s work through the final two weeks of the season was done quietly. He made calls but didn’t tell folks who he was working for, gathering information discreetly. Then, the Monday after Week 18, once Harris let Rivera go, Spielman drove to Miami and got to work talking with folks such as former Arizona Cardinals GM and Fritz Pollard Alliance exec Rod Graves, former New York Giants GM Jerry Reese, former Jacksonville Jaguars exec Michael Huyghue and former Pittsburgh Steelers GM Kevin Colbert, all whom worked in the league for decades, and attended last month’s accelerator program.

He was on the phone from 7:30 a.m. to about 11 p.m., checking every box on the five guys he’d identified, all of whom carried assistant GM titles: Peters, as well as Kansas City’s Mike Borgonzi, Cleveland’s Glenn Cook, Chicago’s Ian Cunningham, Philadelphia’s Alec Halaby.

Breer’s column included more, detailing the impact of Myers and Spielman on Washington’s search.

Washington fans were concerned, even upset, throughout the season when Harris chose not to fire Rivera. He was correct all along. What would firing Rivera in Weeks 10, 12, or 15 have done for the Commanders?

Instead, behind the scenes, Harris was ahead of the curve, preparing for the most important offseason, arguably, in franchise history.

Ben Johnson, Raheem Morris set to interview with Commanders this week

Ben Johnson will interview with the Commanders on Friday.

The Washington Commanders introduced new general manager Adam Peters to the media on Tuesday. The team’s next task is to find a head coach.

Last week, the Commanders requested permission to interview seven assistant coaches. They interviewed Ravens defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald and associate head coach/DL coach Anthony Weaver virtually last week.

Washington will interview Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn on Thursday.

You can add two more names to that list. According to Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post, the Commanders will also interview Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris on Thursday.

On Friday, Washington will interview Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson virtually.

Peters didn’t divulge any information on names but said that he would be involved in hiring the next head coach.

Once the Commanders complete their first round of interviews with Quinn, Morris and Johnson, the only names remaining on the initial list to be interviewed are Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. They may be interviewed this week, too.

Johnson, Glenn, Slowik, MacDonald, and Weaver all have teams playing in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs this weekend. It isn’t yet known if Washington will expand upon its initial list of seven candidates.

WATCH: New Commanders GM Adam Peters arrives in Washington

Peters receives a five-year contract from the Commanders.

New Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters arrived in town on Monday evening — the day the team confirmed his hiring.

Peters, 44, will be introduced to the local media on Tuesday during a 2:00 p.m. ET press conference in Ashburn.

Peters arrived Monday with his wife and children as the snow was falling in Northern Virginia.

Peters was all smiles.

Washington hired Peters over four other candidates, with Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham the other finalist. However, it was clear from the beginning that Peters was the Commanders’ top target.

Washington fans have been buzzing since Friday when it was revealed Peters was the hire. While others have held the GM title over the years, the franchise hasn’t had an actual general manager with the final say over the roster since Charley Casserly in 1999.

In more good news, Jeremy Fowler reported on Monday that Peters had received a five-year contract from the Commanders.