Feb. 11, 2026, 12:10 a.m. ET
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn finally introduced offensive coordinator David Blough and defensive coordinator Daronte Jones on Tuesday. The Commanders promoted Blough one month ago and hired Jones two weeks ago, but Quinn was likely waiting to finalize the assistant coaching positions before meeting with the media.
Speaking of Washington’s assistant coaches, Quinn officially confirmed several of the Commanders’ recent hires, including new defensive line coach/run game coordinator Eric Washington.
Here are all of the new coaches:
Eric Washington: Defensive line coach/run game coordinatorD.J. Williams: Quarterbacks coachDanny Etling: Assistant quarterbacks coach
Here are the Washington coaches who have adjusted titles through promotions, demotions, etc.
Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.Darnell Stapleton: Offensive line coachAnthony Lynn: Running backs coach (Formerly run game coordinator)Shane Toub: Assistant offensive line coachAndre Coleman: Assistant wide receivers coach/returners coachWilliam Gay: Defensive backs/cornerbacks coachTommy Donatell: Defensive backs/safeties coachDarryl Tapp: Assistant defensive line coachJohn Pagano: Outside linebackers coachJesse Madden: Assistant running backs coachWes Welker: Offensive assistant
Tapp was Washington’s defensive line coach for the last two seasons, but will now assist Washington. Donatell was the secondary coach for two seasons, but will now coach safeties, while Gay was promoted from assistant defensive backs coach to cornerbacks coach. Jones is a longtime defensive backs coach and will likely assist with this group.
Pagano is now outside linebackers coach, which could indicate a scheme change for Washington’s defense. That’s something to watch.
One of the more interesting takeaways from the Commanders’ staff shakeup is that Lynn is no longer the offensive run game coordinator. It would be interesting to hear Quinn’s reasoning on that. Something else of note, Brian Johnson remains the assistant head coach/passing game coordinator. Washington would like to retain Johnson, but he has interviewed for other jobs and was passed over in favor of Blough as the new offensive coordinator.