On the same day the Commanders added Darryl Tapp as defensive line coach and Anthony Lynn as their run game coordinator, the team also shook up their front office.
The Commanders announced Wednesday afternoon they have hired Lions senior director of player personnel Lance Newmark as an assistant GM, bringing over one of the men instrumental in scouting and putting together the Lions team that just went to the NFC Championship.
In addition, the team is moving Executive VP Marty Hurney into a front office advisory role and former GM Martin Mayhew into a new role as Senior Personnel Executive and Advisor to the GM, so the full 'Marty Party' will continue in DC in new roles.
Newmark has spent the last 26 seasons in Detroit, most recently overseeing scouting operations as the senior director of player personnel. He began with the Lions in 1998 as a player personnel assistant doing prep for the 1999 NFL Draft, and he spent 1999-2007 as a scout before moving up to assistant director and eventually director of college scouting, director of player personnel, and then senior director of that department in 2022.
"I am thrilled to welcome Lance Newmark to the Washington Commanders," GM Adam Peters said in the team's release announcing the hire. "Lance is someone that I have known and respected in the scouting community my entire career. He is a highly respected talent evaluator and a great leader who will fit perfectly into what we're building here in Washington. I want to thank Brad Holmes and the Lions organization for being first class in working with us on the process of bringing Lance to the DMV. Lance is a phenomenal person, and he will immediately elevate our overall personnel function here at the Commanders. It is my absolute pleasure to welcome Lance and his family to Washington."
Newmark, who was a wide receiver in college at the University of San Diego, started his NFL career with the Chargers, spending two years as a staff assistant under then-Chargers and former Redskins GM Bobby Beathard.
"I could not be more excited about joining the Washington Commanders organization," said Newmark in the team's release. "I have tremendous respect for Adam, and believe strongly in him, and in his vision for this franchise. I cannot wait to join Adam, Coach Quinn, and the rest of the organization this week in the DMV. It was very clear in this process that Josh Harris is extremely committed to running a first class organization and building a championship caliber football team, which made this opportunity very special. His passion for returning this franchise to greatness is clear. I will always be thankful for my time in Detroit and cannot say enough good things about the Lions organization. I sincerely appreciate them allowing me to pursue this exciting opportunity in Washington."
