For Washington commanders, change is coming. Head coach Dan Quinn has been busy rebuilding his coaching staff after firing defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., offensive line coach Bobby Johnson, and parting ways with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
The Commanders promoted assistant quarterbacks coach David Braff to replace Kingsbury and assistant offensive line coach Darnell Stapleton to replace Johnson. After a three-week search and nine interviews, Quinn named Vikings defensive backs coach/pass passing coordinator Daronte Jones as Washington’s new defensive coordinator.
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Washington defensive passing coordinator Jason Simmons left after two seasons on Thursday to join Mike McCarthy’s new staff with the Steelers. Earlier this week, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reported that the GMs are also looking to add someone from the outside to oversee the front seven, specifically to improve the pass rush.
That immediately begs the question: What about assistant linebackers coach/pass rush specialist Ryan Kerrigan and defensive line coach Darryl Tapp?
Kerrigan can stay in his position because he’s not a position coach. However, that decision will likely be made by Jones. The Washington legend and the team’s all-time sack leader joins the coaching staff in 2022, one year after retiring as a player. Tapp is a 12-year NFL veteran, Virginia native and Virginia Tech legend. He just completed his second season as the Commanders’ defensive line coach.
Here are Washington’s current remaining defensive coaches following Simmons’ departure:
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Darryl Tapp: Defensive line coach
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Sharif Floyd: Assistant defensive line coach
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Ken Norton Jr.: Linebackers coach
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Ryan Kerrigan: Assistant linebackers coach/pass rush specialist
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Tommy Donatell: Defensive backs coach
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William Gay: Assistant cornerbacks coach
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John Pagano: Senior Defensive Assistant
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George Banco: Defensive quality control
Jones’ background is in high school. When he looks back on last season’s secondary, he probably won’t like what he sees. Does this mean changes are likely to happen? Tommy Donatell has been Washington’s secondary coach for two seasons. His father, Ed, is a longtime NFL coach who served as defensive coordinator for five teams. In 2022, he serves as the defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings. Who is this staff member? Daronte Jones.
Here are three coaches Jones could pick for his staff. Since Jhabwala’s report indicated the GMs are looking for help there, we’ve focused primarily on the defensive line/pass rush.
Vikings DL coach Marcus Dixon
January 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive line coach Marcus Dickerson during the NFC Wild Card game against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
This is an easy point to connect. Dickerson worked closely with Jones the past two seasons as the Vikings’ defensive line coach under Brian Flores. Dickerson is a six-year NFL veteran who played at Hampton University in Virginia. Prior to joining the Vikings, Dickerson spent one season as a DL assistant coach with the Rams before becoming the Broncos’ defensive line coach. While Jones’ rise took longer, Dixon’s rise was much quicker. Dickerson works well with Denver edge rushers Nik Bonitto and Jonathan Cooper, as well as Zach Allen. With the Vikings, Dickerson was instrumental in Jalen Redmond’s development from undrafted free agent to core player. It’s also worth noting that both Dickson and Jones had a mentor in Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. The Cowboys did interview Dickerson, so he has options. His contract with the Vikings expires, so he’s free to go elsewhere.
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Former Steelers DL coach Carl Dunbar
January 1, 2023; Baltimore, MD, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive line coach Carl 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. In 1998, he began his coaching career at Nicholls State University. In 2004, he got his first NFL job with the Bears. Dunbar played for the Vikings, Jets, Bills and Steelers. He also spent two years working for Nick Saban at Alabama in 2016-17. He spent the past eight seasons with Pittsburgh, working under Mike Tomlin. New coach Mike McCarthy didn’t retain Dunbar, so he’s another good option. Dunbar has coached many great players over the years, including most recently Cameron Hayward and T.J. Watt. Dunbar has never worked with Jones, but Tomlin, who has a close relationship with Quinn, could come with a strong recommendation.
Raiders pass rush specialist Andre Carter
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 7: Washington Redskins defensive end Andre Carter #99 celebrates after sacking Detroit Lions quarterback Jon Kitna for a safety in the third quarter at FedEx Field on October 7, 2007 in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins defeated the Lions by a score of 34-3. (Photo by Wyn McNamee/Getty Images)
Yes, that’s the Andre Carter who spent five seasons (2006-10) with the Redskins. Carter played a total of 13 seasons and finished his NFL career with 80.5 sacks. In 2015, he joined his alma mater, the University of California, as a graduate assistant. In 2016, Carter was a member of the Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Scholarship with the 49ers. He then spent two seasons as an assistant defensive line coach with the Dolphins, followed by two years as defensive line coach with the Jets. In 2017, he met Jones, also a defensive lineman at Miami. When Jones was hired as defensive coordinator at LSU in 2021, he hired Carter as his defensive line coach. After two seasons without coaching, Carter spent the next two seasons with the Raiders. Jones liked Carter so much that he brought him to LSU for his first defensive coordinator job. Carter is available. While he likely won’t be the primary position coach, he may become an assistant defensive line coach under Jones.
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This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: 3 potential additions to defensive coaching staff