The Washington Commanders wasted no time in solidifying their coaching staff, as they swiftly filled their offensive coordinator position with the appointment of former Arizona Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury, according to multiple sources. But the Commanders didn’t stop there, as they also added Joe Whitt Jr. as their defensive coordinator, as reported by sources. These notable signings are the first major moves made by newly appointed head coach Dan Quinn, who has an extensive background in coaching defense.
The Unpredictable Journey to Washington
Kliff Kingsbury’s path to joining the Washington Commanders was quite unpredictable. Initially, he was on the verge of becoming the offensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders. However, contract negotiations fell by the wayside on Saturday. Seizing the opportunity, Washington engaged in discussions with Kingsbury and finalized the deal on Sunday. Shortly thereafter, it was announced that Joe Whitt Jr. would be joining the staff as the defensive coordinator.
A Prized Candidate for Defense
Joe Whitt Jr., at the age of 45, has been part of the NFL coaching ranks since 2007. However, he has never held a coordinator position until now. Whitt had previously worked with Dan Quinn during his one-year stint as a coach in Atlanta in 2020. In 2021, he reunited with Quinn in Dallas, serving as the secondary coach and pass game coordinator for the Cowboys. During his time in Dallas, the Cowboys, under Quinn’s guidance as coordinator, demonstrated impressive defensive performances. They ranked eighth in passing yards allowed, third in completion percentage, and third in quarterback rating. Whitt’s extensive experience as a pass game coordinator for multiple teams since 2018 made him the leading candidate for the role in Washington.
Kliff Kingsbury’s Coaching Tenure
Kliff Kingsbury, aged 44, spent four seasons as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals before being fired following the 2022 season. Interestingly, he competed in the same division as Washington’s newly appointed general manager, Adam Peters, who had previously worked with the San Francisco 49ers before his move to the Commanders. Eric Bieniemy, the Commanders’ offensive coordinator for the past season, has one more year remaining on his contract.
During Kingsbury’s first year as head coach in Arizona, the Cardinals’ offense ranked 16th in points and 21st in yards. However, in his second year, there was a significant improvement as they climbed to 13th in points and sixth in yards. In his third season, the team further solidified its offensive prowess, finishing 11th in points and eighth in yards. Unfortunately, the Cardinals’ offensive performance dipped in Kingsbury’s final campaign as head coach, with the team ranking 21st in points and 22nd in yards after quarterback Kyler Murray suffered a season-ending ACL injury in Week 13.
The Washington Commanders’ offense has faced significant challenges in recent years, failing to rank higher than 16th in points or yards since 2016. In fact, the team has only managed to achieve a top-10 ranking in either category five times since the turn of the millennium. However, with the addition of Kliff Kingsbury, who has a proven track record of working with young quarterbacks, there is hope for improvement.
Kingsbury’s experience coaching quarterbacks includes his time at Texas Tech, where he worked with Patrick Mahomes and Baker Mayfield. Additionally, during his tenure as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, he successfully developed Kyler Murray into a promising young talent. Furthermore, Kingsbury’s recent engagement as the quarterbacks coach and senior offensive analyst at USC allowed him to work closely with Caleb Williams, a highly touted prospect projected to be the top pick in the upcoming draft.
The Commanders currently have Sam Howell, their starting quarterback for the past 18 games, who will be entering his third season. Additionally, they hold the second overall pick in the upcoming draft, and with the strong possibility of selecting a quarterback, Drake Maye, another talented prospect, remains an enticing option. Howell and Maye both have experience playing in versions of the Air Raid offense under former North Carolina coordinator Phil Longo.
Although the Washington Commanders secured Kliff Kingsbury as their offensive coordinator, he had other potential paths. Kingsbury also interviewed for the offensive coordinator position with the Chicago Bears, but the Bears ultimately decided to hire Shane Waldron instead.
The Washington Commanders have made significant strides in improving their coaching staff. With the addition of Kliff Kingsbury as offensive coordinator and Joe Whitt Jr. as defensive coordinator, the team aims to enhance their offensive performance and solidify their defensive prowess. The Commanders’ offense has struggled in recent years, but with Kingsbury’s expertise in developing young quarterbacks, there is renewed hope for improvement. Furthermore, Whitt’s extensive experience as a pass game coordinator and his previous work with Dan Quinn make him an ideal fit for the defensive coordinator role. The Commanders’ fans eagerly await the upcoming season, as they anticipate a more dynamic and competitive team under the guidance of their new coaching staff.
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