Dan Quinn has been on the job for just over a week and his coaching staff for his first season as Washington Commanders head coach is really beginning to take shape. After hiring Kliff Kingsbury (replacing Eric Bieniemy) as offensive coordinator and Joe Whitt Jr. (replacing Jack Del Rio, who was fired mid-season) as defensive coordinator, there have been several more additions.
Kevin Sheehan noted that "putting together a staff is a challenge" and one of the benefits of Washington – with a first-time GM and a first-time NFL owner – hiring somebody who has been a head coach before and has the connections around the league to build out a staff is a bonus.
"It's not the easiest thing in the world," Sheehan said, "and Dan Quinn's been in the league for 27 years. And he's putting together a staff. I don't know if you get Kingsbury to drop the Raiders pursuit and say 'No, I'd rather be the OC in Washington with Dan Quinn.' I don't know if you get Joe Whitt Jr. to leave the Cowboys organization... to come."
On offense, Bobby Johnson has joined from the New York Giants to be the offensive line coach replacing Travelle Wharton and Juan Castillo. Brian Johnson has come over from the Philadelphia Eagles as an offensive assistant replacing Ken Zampese. And David Raih, who worked with Kingsbury in Arizona, has joined as tight ends coach to replace Todd Storm.
On the defensive side of things, John Pagano is the senior defensive assistant replacing Richard Rodgers. Ken Norton Jr. is the new linebackers coach replacing Steve Russ. And Jason Simmons is the new secondary/pass-game coordinator replacing Brent Vieselmeyer (and interim Christian Garcia).
And Larry Izzo has joined as special teams coordinator to replace Nate Kaczor.
Sheehan opens the conversation on the topic of Quinn's staff by taking shrapnel from a listener crushing the hiring of Washington's head coach as a re-tread.
Listen to the full segment on the new hires from the Kevin Sheehan Show on the audio player above.
