Tag: Ken Norton Jr.

Commanders LB Bobby Wagner happy to reunite with Quinn, Norton

Wagner is thrilled to reunite with Quinn and Norton, and believes his film study gives him an edge over others.

Some reunions can be a fun time.

Commanders’ new linebacker Bobby Wagner is having a sort of reunion this season. During his early years in Seattle, Wagner’s defensive coordinator was Dan Quinn. There were also years when Ken Norton Jr. was the defensive coordinator for Wagner and the Seahawks.

In addition, during the 2013 and 2014 seasons, Norton was the linebackers coach in Seattle under Quinn while Wagner was playing linebacker.

“Overall, it’s been great being back with DQ, amazing. I think the biggest thing is being back with Coach Norton. He’s made those film studies so fun. The motivation, the joking, obviously, you’ve been around a guy that knows you very, very well. And so he tells a lot of the older stories to the younger guys about what I was like when I first got into the league, and I think our point of view on it is a little bit different.”

Wagner lives in reality about his age, and he knows he needs his experience to help him in any way it can, as Wagner just turned 34 in June.

“Honestly, I think I study film a little bit better. I think I’m more productive in my study time. I think that’s helped me last. The people that I talk to, a lot of the older guys that last a long time, they said lean on your film study because that’s going to help you keep [going]. So, I would say that’s something I focus on.”

Wagner told the press Monday after the first padded practice of this 2024 Commanders’ training camp that the film room helps him on the field.

“Recognizing plays faster—I think it helps you help your teammates, too, because you know where the plays are going, so you can have them play faster.”

The first day in pads during training camp means a lot to the players in the NFL.

“It’s a big deal because it’s you getting closer and closer to what a real game feels like. Also, you have to understand that for most guys, they haven’t put pads on since the season ended last year, and that’s a long time.”

Wagner conveyed he sees something very positive early in the Commanders training camp.

“I think we’re communicating at a high level, in my opinion, [more] than normal. So, I like where we’re at as far as our communication is concerned.”

With the roster being overhauled and so few having played together, communication could be a huge factor in 2024.

Trio of UCLA football players make 2025 College Football Hall of Fame ballot

Three Bruins make the ballot.

On Monday, the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame ballot was released. There were plenty of notable names on the list, including first-timers such as Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, and Sean Taylor, all of which deserve a spot in the Hall of Fame.

The UCLA Bruins saw three players get on the ballot: John Lee, Ken Norton Jr., and first-time appearance Gaston Green.

Linebacker Ken Norton Jr., kicker John Lee and running back Gaston Green were included on the 2025 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame announced on Monday by The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame. The ballot includes players and coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision as well as from the Divisional ranks.

All three Bruins on this list are part of the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame. Green played running back in the 1980s in Westwood but might have a difficult case with so many other talented names in the fold.

The class will officially be introduced on December 9, 2025, in Las Vegas.

Commanders LB Bobby Wagner talks the most difficult aspect of living on the East Coast

Bobby Wagner talks the most difficult thing for him since moving to the East Coast.

New Washington Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner turns 34 in June. Before he signed with Washington in March, he had lived on the West Coast his entire life. Wagner grew up in California, played college football at Utah State, and played for the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams in the NFL.

So when Wagner signed with the Commanders, familiarity helped. Wagner is close to head coach Dan Quinn and linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. Both have served as Wagner’s defensive coordinator during his time in Seattle, so they were the biggest factor in him choosing Washington.

The offseason program began last month, and Wagner officially moved to Virginia. Obviously, the time change would be the most difficult aspect of Wagner’s move.

While the time change has taken some getting used to, Wagner explained the most significant change he’s experienced.

“You know that the biggest challenge of being on the East Coast is trying to watch a basketball game,” Wagner said. “It’s like the game that I wanna watch comes on at 10:30, comes off at 12:30, and then practice, I gotta be up at 6:45 or whatever it is. That’s been the hardest part. Luckily, the Lakers are not playing, so I’m cool.”

The good news for Wagner is that the NBA Playoffs are in the conference championships. The Lakers were eliminated in the first round weeks ago, so hopefully, Wagner can get some rest over the next few months.

Commanders LB Bobby Wagner almost reunited with Dan Quinn in Dallas

Bobby Wagner came close to reuniting with Dan Quinn in Dallas.

Now that Bobby Wagner is a Washington Commander, could you imagine him in a Dallas Cowboys uniform?

It almost happened. Quinn was the Dallas defensive coordinator for the past three seasons before accepting the head coaching position in Washington this offseason.

In the past two offseasons, the Cowboys had a need at linebacker, and Wagner was a free agent both years. For the first time in 2022, the Seahawks released Wagner in a salary cap move. He signed with the Los Angeles Rams, where he put together another All-Pro season before they released him in a cost-cutting move in 2023.

He chose a return to Seattle, where he had yet another excellent season.

This offseason, the Seahawks had a new coach. Wagner’s longtime head coach, Pete Carroll, was gone, and he was a free agent. A return to the Seahawks was not in the cards this time, so the stars aligned for a Wagner and Quinn reunion.

In an appearance on “Up & Adams” with Kay Adams, Wagner explained why he chose the Commanders and how he negotiated with the Cowboys, but the two sides couldn’t agree to a deal.

“I had a ton of respect for him from afar,” Wagner said. “We actually tried to make it happen a couple of times, but it just didn’t work out structurally from a contract perspective. But we finally got it right. Him as a person, him as a leader has always been amazing.”

Wagner spoke of being from the West Coast, playing college football out West, and all 12 seasons of his NFL career in the Pacific Time Zone. So, coming to the East Coast, he wanted to be around some familiar faces, which he’d have in Washington with Quinn and linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr.

Quinn was Wagner’s defensive coordinator for the first two seasons of his NFL career. In Wagner’s second season, the Seahawks won a Super Bowl. Wagner then called Norton his favorite coach of all time. Norton was Wagner’s linebacker coach for three seasons and his defensive coordinator for another four seasons.

Wagner also discussed his connection with quarterback Jayden Daniels and being from the same area.

Wagner is excited to be with the Commanders in 2024 and is one of the team’s most important players, both on and off the field.

Bobby Wagner reveals former Washington linebacker London Fletcher was a mentor

Wagner reveals the impact London Fletcher had on his career.

When Bobby Wagner was introduced to the media last week after signing a one-year deal with the Washington Commanders, he made it clear why this was the spot for him.

“I think DQ (Dan Quinn) does an amazing job of just putting all the players in the right positions and, you know, getting the best out of everybody,” he said. “Nort’s (LB coach Ken Norton Jr.) one of my favorite coaches of all time, so that was enough for me.”

Quinn coached Wagner early in his career with Seattle for two seasons and had tried to sign Wagner in each of the last two offseasons when he was the defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys.

Norton was Wagner’s linebacker coach for his first three NFL seasons and his defensive coordinator for four seasons. But another person important to Wagner led him to Washington: London Fletcher.

Fletcher enjoyed a 16-year NFL career that ended after the 2013 season. His final seven seasons came in Washington. Wagner’s first two NFL seasons were Fletcher’s final two in the league.

“I’ve been a huge fan of London Fletcher and actually somebody I was able to meet last year in person,” Wagner said. “And he’s been a huge help in my career. I reached out to him one time, and he offered some advice. So, just understanding there has been great linebacker here and I wanted to be a part of that.”

Fletcher is now a member of Washington’s broadcast team, so there will be plenty of opportunities for the pair to catch up this season.

Fletcher has been on the Hall of Fame ballot in recent years but continues to fall short.

Might a 9-time Pro Bowler be an option for the Commanders?

Bobby Wagner isn’t returning to Seattle, making the Commanders a possibility for the future Hall of Famer.

News broke Sunday that a 9-time Pro Bowler and 6-time All-Pro linebacker is not returning to his team.

Bobby Wagner is reportedly going to test the free agent market, not returning to his longtime NFL home, the Seattle Seahawks. Wagner played one season with the Rams, and his other 11 NFL seasons were spent in Seattle.

Wagner is now an age-33 linebacker. Consequently, this Washington ownership group would wisely not invest in a long-term deal with a veteran such as Wagner. However, one can imagine the Commanders pursuing Wagner for a short-term reunion.

That is, a reunion with new Commanders head coach Dan Quinn and new linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. Wagner played for Quinn while Quinn served as the Seahawks defensive coordinator in the 2013 and 2014 seasons.

Norton coached the linebackers during the 2010-2014 seasons. Following his three seasons as the Raiders defensive coordinator, Norton returned to the Seahawks as their defensive coordinator for the 2018-2021 seasons, all of which saw Wagner earn Pro Bowl honors with Seattle.

It is no secret the Commanders have been weak at linebacker and signing Wagner for the short-term could provide the defense leadership and also a younger, drafted linebacker a mentor as well.

Should the Commanders choose to pursue a younger linebacker, such as the Ravens’ Patrick Queen, they would attempt to sign him on a longer-term deal, seeing that Queen will only turn 25 in August.

Commanders fill the last spot of Dan Quinn’s initial coaching staff

Dan Quinn’s coaching staff is complete.

Dan Quinn wanted one final coach, and he got him on Tuesday.

The Commanders head coach, in his first season, has added what the team announced is the last coach for this inaugural season of Quinn’s in Washington.

After serving as the Seahawks linebacker coach since 2018, Glenn now becomes a Commanders coach for Quinn, serving as the assistant special teams coach. Quinn leaves Seattle as one of 14 members of Pete Carroll’s 2023 staff who have relocated to other NFL teams. Carroll was fired after the completion of the 2023 season.

The connection here is that Quinn was the Seahawks defensive coordinator during the 2013 and 2014 seasons. Glenn was employed by the Seahawks as well during those seasons, getting started in Seattle in 2012.

Also on that Seahawks staff those two seasons under Quinn was Ken Norton Jr, the linebackers coach. Norton has joined Quinn in Washington and will be the Commanders linebackers coach.

Also joining Quinn from Seattle is Larry Izzo who had served as the Seahawks Special Teams Coordinator during the 2018-2023 NFL seasons.

Spending his last 12 NFL seasons on the Pete Carroll Seahawks staff, Glenn also coached in the state of Washington with the Huskies as a quality control coach in 2010 and 2011. Prior to the University of Washington, Glenn was a linebackers coach for North Carolina Wesleyan College from 2006-08.

Glenn is married to his wife, Leigh, and they have three sons: Nate, Luke, and Will.

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.

Commanders hire Darryl Tapp as defensive line coach

The Commanders hire Darryl Tapp away from the 49ers as defensive line coach.

The Washington Commanders made another impressive hire for new head coach Dan Quinn’s coaching staff on Wednesday. After hiring Anthony Lynn away from the San Francisco 49ers, Washington returned to San Francisco, hiring its assistant defensive line coach, Darryl Tapp, as the Commanders’ new defensive line coach.

Tapp, 39, had a Hall of Fame college career at Virginia Tech before entering the NFL as a second-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks in 2006. He would enjoy a 12-year NFL career, including a stop with Washington in 2013. He last played in 2017 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He quickly began his coaching career in 2018 as a defensive quality control coach at Central Michigan. In 2019, Tapp moved to Vanderbilt and was the quality control/special teams coach before returning to Virginia Tech in 2020 as the co-defensive line coach.

Tapp’s coaching ascent continued in 2021 when he joined the 49ers as an assistant defensive line coach. He served under then-defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans (his former teammate with the Eagles) and respected defensive line coach Kris Kocurek.

The Commanders’ coaching staff is nearly complete. Washington had two positions open on the defensive staff Wednesday before hiring Tom Donatell as defensive backs coach and Tapp as defensive line coach. Earlier this week, the Commanders hired Ken Norton Jr. as linebackers coach.

Washington also hired Sharrif Floyd as assistant defensive line coach and franchise legend Ryan Kerrigan returns as a pass rush specialist/assistant linebackers coach.

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.