Tag: Joe Whitt Jr.

Here is the Commanders’ coaching staff for 2024

Introducing Washington’s 2024 coaching staff.

The Washington Commanders appear close to having a full coaching staff. New head coach Dan Quinn has assembled an impressive coaching staff over the past two weeks, adding three more names on Wednesday.

Washington hired Anthony Lynn, the former Chargers head coach and current 49ers assistant head coach and running backs coach, to coach running backs and lead the running game. Additionally, the Commanders hired Tom Donatell (defensive backs) and Darryl Tapp (defensive line) to complete the staff.

From all indications, everyone around the NFL believes Quinn has hired an elite staff. Washington hired two former head coaches and three former coordinators (four, if you count special teams coach Larry Izzo). There were concerns about some positions, and the Commanders alleviated those concerns by layering them with another tremendous hire.

Washington returns four coaches from last season’s staff, including franchise legend Ryan Kerrigan.

Here is the Commanders’ 2024 coaching staff.

Note: We will add anyone Washington announces that isn’t on this list.

5 things to know about new Commanders LB coach Ken Norton Jr.

Here are five things to know about new Commanders LB coach Ken Norton Jr.

Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris said one of new head coach Dan Quinn’s strengths was his ability to assemble a staff of quality people. Over two weeks into Quinn’s tenure, that statement rings true.

Shortly after Quinn’s hiring, the Commanders hired Kliff Kingsbury (offensive coordinator) and Joe Whitt Jr. (defensive coordinator). While Kingsbury had some issues as Arizona’s head coach, he should thrive focusing only on the offense.

Whitt, a first-time coordinator with outstanding credentials, was more than ready for this opportunity. He’s worked with Quinn since 2020.

Another big-time hire for Quinn is linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. A veteran NFL player and coach, Norton is widely respected across college football and the NFL. He is a two-time NFL defensive coordinator, bringing plenty of experience to Quinn’s staff.

Here are five things to know about Washington’s new linebackers coach.

Commanders hire Ken Norton Jr. as linebacker coach

A three-time Super Bowl champion as a player, Norton has been an NFL defensive coordinator for seven seasons.

Dan Quinn has found his linebackers coach. Per Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the Washington Commanders are hiring former Pro Bowl linebacker and veteran NFL assistant Ken Norton Jr. as their new linebackers coach.

Norton, 57, enjoyed a 13-year playing career that ended in 2000. He spent the first six seasons of his career with the Dallas Cowboys before signing with the San Francisco 49ers in 1994, where he played the remainder of his career.

Norton was a part of three Super Bowl champions, was a three-time Pro Bowl selection, a one-time first-team All-Pro and a one-time second-team All-Pro selection. Norton played 191 games with 188 starts, finishing with 1,272 tackles.

Norton began his coaching career with the USC Trojans in 2004 as the linebackers coach and won a national championship.

Here’s a look at each stop of Norton’s coaching career:

  • USC Trojans (2004-08): Linebackers coach
  • USC Trojans (2009): Assistant head coach & linebackers coach
  • Seattle Seahawks (2010-14): Linebackers coach
  • Oakland Raiders (2015-17): Defensive coordinator
  • Seattle Seahawks (2018-21): Defensive coordinator
  • UCLA Bruins (2022-23): Linebackers coach

Norton, the son of former World Champion boxer Ken Norton, played collegiately at UCLA and, in addition to winning three Super Bowls as a player, won one as an assistant with the Seahawks.

Norton’s addition follows John Pagano’s hiring as a senior defensive assistant, giving new defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. several experienced voices on defense.

The Commanders have yet to officially hire a defensive line coach and secondary coach.

Commanders hire veteran NFL assistant John Pagano as senior defensive assistant

The Commanders add a highly respected defensive assistant to Dan Quinn’s staff.

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn continues to add to his coaching staff. On Monday evening, Brent Allbright of KOA 850 AM in Denver reported that veteran NFL assistant John Pagano was heading to Washington.

When someone asked Allbright what role Pagano would serve, he said “probably” senior defensive assistant.

Pagano, 56, is the brother of former Colts head coach Chuck Pagano. He began his coaching career in college in 1989, with his first NFL opportunity coming in 1996.

Here is a look at Pagano’s list of coaching stops:

  • New Orleans Saints (1996-97): Defensive assistant
  • Indianapolis Colts (1998-01): Defensive assistant
  • San Diego Chargers (2002): Defensive assistant & defensive quality control coach
  • San Diego Chargers (2003): Assistant linebackers coach
  • San Diego Chargers (2004): Outside linebackers coach
  • San Diego Chargers (2005-11): Linebackers coach
  • San Diego Chargers (2012-16): Defensive coordinator
  • Oakland Raiders (2017-18): Assistant head coach & defensive coordinator
  • Houston Texans (2018-19): Senior defensive assistant & outside linebackers coach
  • Denver Broncos (2020-21): Outside linebackers coach

Pagano has a wealth of experience coaching multiple positions and as a two-time defensive coordinator. Per Allbright and Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Pagano had multiple opportunities but chose Washington and Quinn.

Ryan Kerrigan to return to the Commanders in 2024

Good news. Ryan Kerrigan is back in 2024.

Franchise icon Ryan Kerrigan will return to the Washington Commanders in 2024.

According to John Keim of ESPN, Kerrigan will remain on Washington’s coaching staff under new head coach Dan Quinn. Kerrigan began his coaching career two years ago as the assistant offensive line coach. Kerrigan will serve as the assistant linebackers coach/pass rush specialist in his new role.

Kerrigan holds Washington’s franchise record with 95.5 sacks. He was a first-round pick out of Purdue in 2011, playing 10 seasons in the burgundy and gold before finishing his career with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021.

Kerrigan joined the Commanders as a coaching intern in 2022. When former head coach Ron Rivera fired defensive line coach Sam Mills III, Jeff Zgonina was promoted to replace him, and Kerrigan later replaced Zgonina.

In 2022, Kerrigan was named one of the 90 greatest players in franchise history.

The Commanders have yet to name a new defensive line coach or linebackers coach but hired Joe Whitt Jr. as the defensive coordinator. Quinn will also be heavily involved with Washington’s defense.

Ben Standig of The Athletic also reported that tight end coach Todd Storm and offensive line coaches Travelle Wharton and Juan Castillo will not return in 2024.

The Commanders hired Bobby Johnson as offensive line coach earlier Monday.

Commanders coach Dan Quinn on his staff: ‘There are people that really, really want to be here’

Dan Quinn is putting together an impressive staff with more moves to come.

When the Washington Commanders were in the middle of their search for a new head coach, and analysts weighed the positives and negatives of each potential candidate, one thing stood out about Dan Quinn.

Most everyone believed Quinn could put together a quality coaching staff.

Quinn got the job, and the day after Washington officially announced his hiring, his first staff hire was revealed: Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.

Kingsbury, the former head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, spent the 2023 season as an analyst for the UCLA Trojans. He interviewed for the offensive coordinator positions with the Las Vegas Raiders and Chicago Bears.

Around the NFL, it was viewed as an impressive get for Quinn. Shortly after, Quinn hired former Cowboys secondary coach Joe Whitt Jr. as his defensive coordinator. Whitt was one of the finalists in Dallas to replace Quinn but chose Washington instead of formally interviewing with the Cowboys.

On Thursday, Quinn continued to add to his staff by hiring former Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson in a prominent role. The Commanders also added former Raiders and Packers assistant Jason Simmons as the defensive pass-game coordinator.

The hits kept coming on Friday when it was revealed Washington was expected to hire Larry Izzo as special teams coordinator. A former Pro Bowl player, Izzo has been outstanding, leading the Seahawks’ special teams for the past three seasons.

After Izzo’s potential agreement, Quinn has unofficially hired seven assistant coaches. He has several other positions to fill, but he doesn’t believe that will be a problem.

In an appearance on “The Chris Russell Show” on Team 980, Quinn said others want to be on his coaching staff.

“There are people that really, really want to be here,” Quinn said. “And that should speak to where this organization is headed and what’s going down because people feel that energy that’s going to come on. So, behind the scenes, you and the fans would be pumped to know that people are really pushing to be a part of this.”

Quinn’s hires thus far prove he’s correct. Former head coach Ron Rivera often hired his buddies, while Quinn is going after the best.

The times have indeed changed.

Cowboys deny Commanders permission to interview TE coach Lunda Wells

The Cowboys blocked the Commanders from stealing another one of their assistants.

The Dallas Cowboys couldn’t stand in the way of defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. following Dan Quinn to the Washington Commanders. Quinn hired Whitt to be his defensive coordinator with Washington.

The Cowboys wanted to interview Whitt to potentially replace Quinn as their defensive coordinator, but he chose to follow Quinn.

With Quinn so respected around the league, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he wanted others from the Dallas staff to follow him to Washington.

On Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network revealed that the Commanders requested permission to speak to Cowboys tight ends coach Lunda Wells. However, Dallas denied the request.

As Rapoport noted, Wells, 40, would be interviewing to be Washington’s offensive line coach. Wells has been with Dallas since 2020 and helped develop tight ends Dalton Schultz and Jake Ferguson. Before coming to Dallas, Wells spent eight seasons with the Giants, beginning as an offensive assistant, then moving to assistant offensive line coach, before finishing his time in New York as the Giants’ tight ends coach.

Dallas blocking Washington’s request means Wells is under contract for at least one more season. If the Commanders want Wells badly enough, they would need to offer him a promotion, such as attaching an assistant head coach/associate head coach title to the offer.

Wells is the first known candidate to interview for Washington’s offensive line coaching position.

Former Auburn walk-on Joe Whitt Jr. signs on as Washington Commanders Defensive Coordinator

Whitt Jr. will serve as defensive coordinator under new head coach Dan Quinn’s staff.

Former Auburn receiver [autotag]Joe Whitt Jr.[/autotag] has been named the next defensive coordinator of the Washington Commanders, the team announced on Tuesday afternoon.

Whitt Jr. has spent years coaching in the National Football League, mainly under new Commanders head coach Dan Quinn in Atlanta and most recently, Dallas.

Despite his playing experience on the offensive side of the ball, Whitt Jr. has almost exclusively coached defensive backs during his coaching career.

After a brief stint as the wide receivers coach for The Citadel in 2002, the former Auburn walk-on moved on to the University of Louisville to coach cornerbacks from 2003-2006.

Whitt Jr. would then move on to the NFL as an assistant defensive backs coach with the Atlanta Falcons before spending 11 seasons with the Green Bay Packers as a defensive quality control coach, cornerbacks coach, and defensive pass game coordinator.

He would then join the Cleveland Browns in 2019 before hooking up with Dan Quinn for the first time in 2020 with the Atlanta Falcons.

After Quinn was fired, the now-Commanders head coach moved on to be the defensive Coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys. Whitt Jr. followed, and spent the past 3 seasons coaching alongside his friend and mentor.

Now, the former Auburn Tiger’s hard work has paid on in his first defensive coordinator role with the Commanders.

Washington gutted much of its defensive roster after struggling last season, so Whitt. Jr certainly will have his work cut out for him in 2024.

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Commanders granted permission to speak with Raiders’ assistant

The Commanders will speak to a 10-year NFL veteran for a role of the defensive staff.

New Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn wasted no time making his first coaching hires. Shortly after officially being named head coach, Quinn landed his offensive and defensive coordinators.

On Sunday night, the Commanders hired Kliff Kingsbury, the former Cardinals coach, as offensive coordinator, while Joe Whitt Jr. followed Quinn from Dallas to become the Commanders’ new defensive coordinator.

Now, it’s time for Quinn to fill out the rest of his coaching staff.

A possible name has emerged as Washington’s next secondary coach.

Per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Commanders requested — and were granted permission — to speak with defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Jason Simmons.

Simmons spent last season with the Raiders and was with the Carolina Panthers in 2020 and 2021 in the same roles. Before coming to Carolina, Simmons spent nine seasons with the Packers, where he worked with Whitt.

A fifth-round pick in the 1998 NFL draft, Simmons was a college teammate of Pat Tillman. He played 10 NFL seasons with the Steelers and Texans.

 

5 takeaways from Commanders coach Dan Quinn’s opening press conference

Some thoughts from Quinn’s first press conference, including the fact he will not call plays.

The Washington Commanders introduced new head coach Dan Quinn to the local media and fans on Monday, and he talked for close to an hour, answering every question.

They say everyone wins the press conference, and if we judge by those standards, Quinn knocked it out of the park. While the press conference means little, perhaps Quinn’s passion and sincerity helped win over some fans disappointed that the Commanders didn’t hire an offensive-minded coach.

So, what stood out from Quinn’s introduction to Washington?

Here are five takeaways from Quinn’s opening press conference.