Change is in the air for the Washington Commanders. After firing defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., offensive line coach Bobby Johnson, and mutually parting ways with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, head coach Dan Quinn has been busy rebuilding his coaching staff.
The Commanders promoted assistant quarterbacks coach David Blough to replace Kingsbury and assistant offensive line coach Darnell Stapleton to replace Johnson. After a three-week search and nine interviews, Quinn tabbed Vikings’ defensive backs coach/pass game coordinator Daronte Jones as Washington’s new defensive coordinator.
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On Thursday, Washington’s defensive pass game coordinator, Jason Simmons, departed after two seasons to join Mike McCarthy’s new staff with the Steelers. Earlier this week, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reported that the Commanders were also looking to add someone from the outside to oversee the front seven, specifically to improve the pass rush.
That immediately begged the question: What about assistant linebackers coach/pass rush specialist Ryan Kerrigan and defensive line coach Darryl Tapp?
Kerrigan could remain in his position, since he’s not a position coach. However, that decision will likely be made by Jones. The Washington legend and franchise’s all-time sack leader, joined the coaching staff in 2022, one year after he retired as a player. Tapp, a 12-year NFL veteran, is a Virginia native and Virginia Tech legend. He just finished his second season as the Commanders’ defensive line coach.
Here are Washington’s current remaining defensive coaches after Simmons’ departure:
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Darryl Tapp: Defensive line coach
Sharrif Floyd: Assistant defensive line coach
Ken Norton Jr: Linebackers coach
Ryan Kerrigan: Assistant linebackers coach/pass rush specialist
Tommy Donatell: Defensive backs coach
William Gay: Assistant cornerbacks coach
John Pagano: Senior defensive assistant
George Banko: Defensive quality control
Jones’ background is with the secondary. And when he reviews last season’s secondary, he will probably not like what he sees. Does that mean a change could happen? Tommy Donatell has spent two seasons as Washington’s secondary coach. His father, Ed, is a longtime NFL coach who served as a defensive coordinator for five teams. In 2022, he was the defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings. Who was a member of that staff? Daronte Jones.
Here are three coaches that Jones could target for his staff. We’ve focused mainly on the defensive line/pass rush, since Jhabvala’s report suggesting the Commanders were looking for help there.
Vikings DL coach Marcus Dixon
Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive line coach Marcus Dixon against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
This is an easy dot to connect here. Dixon spent the past two seasons as the Vikings’ defensive line coach under Brian Flores, where he worked closely with Jones. A former six-year NFL veteran, Dixon played collegiately at Hampton University in Virginia. Before joining the Vikings, Dixon spent one season as an assistant DL coach with the Rams, then became the Broncos’ defensive line coach. While Jones’ rise has taken longer, Dixon’s ascent has been much faster. Dixon did good work with stud edge rushers Nik Bonitto and Jonathan Cooper in Denver, as well as Zach Allen. With the Vikings, Dixon has been instrumental in Jalen Redmond’s development from an undrafted free agent to a core piece. Something else to note, Dixon and Jones share a mentor in Broncos’ defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. The Cowboys did interview Dixon, so he’ll have options. His contract with the Vikings expired, so he is free to go elsewhere.
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Former Steelers DL coach Karl Dunbar
Jan 1, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive line coach Karl Dunbar before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Dunbar, like Dixon, played defensive line in the NFL. He began his coaching career in 1998 at Nicholls State. He landed his first NFL job with the Bears in 2004. Dunbar has worked for the Vikings, Jets, Bills, and the Steelers. He also had a two-year stint working for Nick Saban at Alabama from 2016-17. He spent the past eight seasons with Pittsburgh, working under Mike Tomlin. New coach Mike McCarthy did not retain Dunbar, so he’s another excellent option. Dunbar has coached numerous great players over the years, including Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt most recently. Dunbar has never worked with Jones but could come highly recommended by Tomlin, who is close to Quinn.
Raiders’ pass rush specialist Andre Carter
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 07: Washington Redskins defensive end Andre Carter #99 celebrates after sacking Detroit Lions quarterback Jon Kitna for a safety in third quarter action at FedEx Field October 7, 2007 in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins defeated the Lions by a score of 34-3. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Yes, this is the same Andre Carter who spent five seasons with the Redskins (2006-10). Carter played 13 seasons overall, finishing his NFL career with 80.5 sacks. He joined his alma mater, Cal, as a graduate assistant in 2015. In 2016, Carter was part of the Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship with the 49ers. He then spent two seasons with the Dolphins as the assistant defensive line coach, followed by two years with the Jets as defensive line coach. In 2017, he met Jones, who was also on Miami’s defensive staff. In 2021, when Jones was hired by LSU as defensive coordinator, he hired Carter as his defensive line coach. After two seasons without coaching, Carter spent the next two with the Raiders. Jones liked Carter enough to bring him to LSU for his first defensive coordinator job. Carter is available. While he likely not be the primary position coach, he could be an assistant defensive line coach under Jones.
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This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: 3 potential defensive coaching staff additions