Tracking Washington’s Head Coach/Front Office search
Managing partner Josh Harris introduced Adam Peters as the Washington Commanders new GM on Tuesday, January 9th, and now the focus is on finding their next head coach. There will also have to be a restructuring of the front office and scouting department. Peters comes in as a highly-regarded football executive, and he is now in control of the process to rebuild this franchise.
Washington has been conducting a head coaching search that began in early January, and they have been linked to 8 candidates. There are currently 2 open head coaching jobs in the NFL. The Commanders and Seahawks can now conduct in-person interviews with coaches that were eliminated from the Conference Championship round last weekend. Washington has already conducted in-person interviews with OC Eric Bieniemy and Bobby Slowik. They had in-person interviews with Ravens DC Mike Macdonald and Assoc. HC/DL Coach yesterday, and they are in Detroit now to interview Lions OC Ben Johnson and DC Aaron Glenn. They will then meet with Cowboys DC Dan Quinn later today, and that will likely conclude their interviews. A hire is expected to happen this week, and will likely be announced tomorrow.
Lions OC Ben Johnson was considered the favorite for Washington, but he is staying with the Lions. He informed Washington officials as they were on their way to Detroit to interview him and Lions DC Aaron Glenn. Texans Oc Bobby Slowik is also staying with his team after signing a new deal there. That leaves Washington with no external candidates that coach offense. Ravens Assoc. HC/DL Coach Anthony Weaver has already started taking interviews for defensive coordinator positions after interviewing with Washington for HC yesterday.
Mike Macdonald has accepted the Seattle Seahawks head coaching job, and is expected to sign a 6-year deal. Washington’s list of known candidates that have been interviewed is down to Dan Quinn, Anthony Weaver, Aaron Glenn, and Eric Bieniemy. Quinn looks like the favorite from that list, but there have been reports that Weaver and Bieniemy interviewed well. Washington’s head coaching decision should be announced soon unless they expand their search after possibly not landing their top choices.
Stay tuned for the latest updates as they happen
Rumors and reported interest and interviews
Head Coach
Lions OC Ben Johnson – Virtual interview (1/19), in-person interview (1/30), Saying with the Lions
Lions DC Aaron Glenn – Virtual interview (1/20), in-person interview (1/30)
Rams DC Raheem Morris – Virtual interview (1/18), Hired by the Atlanta Falcons
Ravens Assoc. HC/DL Coach Anthony Weaver – Virtual interview (1/11), in-person interview (1/29)
Ravens DC Mike Macdonald – Virtual interview, in-person interview (1/29), Hired by the Seattle Seahawks
Texans OC Bobby Slowik – Virtual interview scheduled (1/21), In-person interview (1/23), signed new deal with the Texans
Cowboys DC Dan Quinn – Virtual interview (1/18); in-person interview (1/30)
Commanders OC Eric Bieniemy – Interviewed two weeks ago
NFL Head Coach openings
Washington Commanders
NFL Head Coach hirings
Atlanta Falcons – Hired Rams DC Raheem Morris
Carolina Panthers – Hired Buccaneers OC Dave Canales
Las Vegas Raiders – Hired interim HC Antonio Pierce
Los Angeles Chargers – Hired Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh
New England Patriots – Promoted LBs coach Jerod Mayo
Seattle Seahawks – Hiring Ravens DC Mike Macdonald
Tennessee Titans – Hired Bengals OC Brian Callahan
Head of Football Operations
49ers AGM Adam Peters – Hired as GM, 5-year contract
Washington will take their time and possibly consider more HC options:
Here’s the full clip of @AdamSchefter talking about the Commanders coaching search on 7pm SportsCenter pic.twitter.com/fs0kR9Tu45
— obvlon (@obvlon) February 1, 2024
Mike Macdonald is the Seahawks new head coach:
A youth movement in Seattle: Seahawks are expected to hire Ravens’ defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald as their new head coach, league sources tell ESPN. They’re still finalizing the deal, but Seattle has its man.
At 36, Macdonald now becomes the NFL’s youngest head coach. pic.twitter.com/uZ3vbXTS4n
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 31, 2024
Seahawks are giving their new head coach Mike Macdonald a six-year deal, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 31, 2024
Dan Quinn is ready to be a head coach again:
Dan Quinn would accept Commanders or Seahawks job, but door back to Cowboys remains open https://t.co/BgJpidM9fz
— David Moore (@DavidMooreDMN) January 31, 2024
Marty Hurney could also be retained:
Was also told Marty Hurney could stay, but unclear in what capacity.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) January 31, 2024
Dan Quinn and Anthony Weaver made strong impressions with Washington:
From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: Where do the #Commanders stand? pic.twitter.com/uD37yQSXpj
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 31, 2024
Seahawks getting a second interview with Mike Macdonald:
The #Seahawks are bringing in #Ravens DC Mike Macdonald today for a second interview for their head coaching job, per sources.
Seattle met with Macdonald, 36, on Tuesday in Baltimore. Now, he’s going through the expanded process they did with other candidates. pic.twitter.com/GSI6RytrQ3
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 31, 2024
Martin Mayhew is expected to stay in Adam Peters’ front office:
Martin Mayhew will be at the Senior Bowl (headed there with Adam Peters; other scouts, Eric Stokes already there). Mayhew is expected to remain with Washington, though the title remains uncertain. The team has not yet made any formal announcement about his role.
— John Keim (@john_keim) January 31, 2024
Anthony Weaver is now interviewing for defensive coordinator jobs:
Anthony Weaver will interview for the defensive coordinator position for the Miami Dolphins, per source. Weaver spent hours on Monday with the Commanders discussing the head coaching job.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 30, 2024