The Washington Commanders began scheduling second interviews for their vacant head coaching position this week. Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris will have in-person interviews with Washington’s brass this week.
Washington held at least eight interviews over the past two weeks, including offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. It’s unknown if or when Bieniemy of Slowik will have a second interview.
The Commanders will have to wait on four of the contenders, though. Ben Johnson (Lions OC), Aaron Glenn (Lions DC), Mike Macdonald (Ravens DC) and Anthony Weaver (Ravens AHC/DL coach) have teams playing in conference championship games next weekend. That means coaches from these staffs must wait until after that game to have a second interview with the Commanders or anyone else.
Could Washington’s next head coach be one of those four? Many of the dots have connected Johnson to the Commanders. He’s arguably the hottest candidate on the coaching carousel this year and has plenty of options.
But could Washington look to the Ravens for their next head coach?
Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report recently predicted where each of the final six teams with openings would turn for its next head coach. On Monday night, the Titans appear close to hiring Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan as their next coach.
Who does Moton see Washington tabbing as its next coach?
Macdonald.
Thus far, the Washington Commanders have interviewed more defensive coaches than offensive assistants and coordinators, which may indicate where the club leans in terms of a candidate’s background.
The Commanders have requested to interview two of the top offensive coordinators, Ben Johnson and Bobby Slowik, but they may face stiffer competition for both candidates with the league favoring offensive hires.
Mike Macdonald has talked to five out of the six teams with a vacancy, but he has a connection with Commanders’ senior vice president of football strategy Eugene Shen, who rose through the ranks within the Baltimore Ravens front office before he came over to Washington.
In 2014, the Ravens hired Macdonald and Shen. The former started his pro coaching career as an intern and the latter assisted the coaching staff with data and analysis. Both spent several years in Baltimore, though Macdonald left to become Michigan’s defensive coordinator in 2021 and then returned in 2022.
The MMQB’s Albert Breer heard that Commanders owner Josh Harris may try to emulate the Ravens’ organizational model.
“I don’t know whether he’s settled on a model yet, but I have heard he’s intrigued by the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles, and how they’ve built their football operations out.”
Last October, the Commanders hired Shen to lead their analytics department. Now, they may poach Ravens assistants and coaches to work under new general manager Adam Peters. Macdonald could be one of them.
New Washington GM Adam Peters stated that his next head coach doesn’t have to specialize in one side of the ball. Peters said the ultimate trait he is looking for is leadership, whether it’s an offensive, defensive, or special teams coach.
Johnson and Macdonald will likely remain in the mix, but it’s too soon to rule out Quinn and Morris.
Former Washington tight end Logan Paulsen recently offered his analysis on Macdonald and his defense with the Ravens.