Jan. 10, 2026, 3:23 a.m. ET
The Washington Commanders made a big move on Friday, promoting assistant quarterbacks coach David Blough to offensive coordinator, replacing Kliff Kingsbury, who mutually parted ways with the organization earlier this week.
Blough, 30, a former NFL quarterback for five seasons, began his coaching career in 2024 with Washington, serving as assistant quarterbacks coach for two seasons. Late in 2025, quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard left Washington to accept the head coaching position at his alma mater, Stanford.
Here are seven things to know about Blough:
Blough’s wife is a star athlete
Blough is married to Melissa Gonzalez, a Colombian-American track star who has won several gold medals. A University of Texas graduate, Gonzalez also competed in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo in the 400 m hurdles. Blough was with the Detroit Lions at the time and could be seen supporting his wife in an episode of “Hard Knocks.” Blough and Gonzalez met in high school at Creekview High School in Carrollton, Texas.
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Here’s a clip of Blough watching his wife at the Olympics.
Blough’s brother-in-law is an NFL star
Melissa’s younger brother, Christian Gonzalez, is a former first-round pick of the New England Patriots in the 2023 NFL Draft. Washington fans remember Christian well, as he was taken one pick after the Commanders selected cornerback Emmanuel Forbes. It was a decision that Washington regretted almost immediately. Gonzalez earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2024 and was named to the 2025 Pro Bowl Games.
Blough has started 7 NFL games
An undrafted free agent in the 2019 NFL Draft, Blough signed with the Cleveland Browns. He was traded to the Detroit Lions just before the season began. In his rookie year, Blough was Detroit’s No. 3 quarterback, and injuries led him to start against the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving Day. In his first NFL start, Blough completed 22 of 30 passes for 280 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. In total, he’d start the Lions’ final five games. In 2022, Blough would start the final two games with the Arizona Cardinals in 2022 when Kingsbury was head coach. Unfortunately, he was 0-7 as a starting quarterback in the NFL.
Blough competed in the 2013 Elite 11
Blough was a three-star quarterback in the 2013 recruiting class, but was good enough to compete in the Elite 11. Someone you may have heard of also competed in the 2013 Elite 11: Patrick Mahomes. Deshaun Watson and former Washington quarterback Kyle Allen were among the others who competed in the 2013 Elite 11.
Blough has an NFL touchdown reception
Yep, you read that correctly. In the final of the 2019 season, wide receiver Danny Amendola found Blough for a 19-yard touchdown.
Blough’s friendship with Tyler Trent
While Blough was at Purdue, he befriended Tyler Trent, a Purdue superfan who battled a rare form of bone cancer and sadly died at 20 years old. Trent became an inspiration to the Boilermakers, developing a friendship with Blough. When Purdue defeated Nebraska, Blough and a few teammates came to Trent’s home to deliver the game ball and pray with him. Blough would later speak at Trent’s funeral.
Blough impressed Kingsbury, Ben Johnson and Kevin O’Connell
All three are either current or former NFL head coaches. Kingsbuy and O’Connell played quarterback in the NFL. Blough played for all three and worked for Kingsbury. Kingsbury credited Blough with key play calls during the 2024 season. In the past, Johnson credited Blough with specific play designs to attack certain coverages. Johnson tried to hire Blough last offseason when he took over as the Bears’ head coach.