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ASHBURN, Va. — In late January 2024, Dan Quinn held discussions with Adam Peters, the newly appointed general manager of the Washington Commanders, along with the team’s executives at a hotel in Georgetown regarding their head coach vacancy.
He had to endure a period of uncertainty and anticipation as he hoped for a call back after the meeting.
On the same day, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was also slated for a meeting, but he decided to remain in his position with the Lions, turning down interviews from other teams.
Consequently, Washington ended up hiring Quinn, and by February 4, the team secured Kliff Kingsbury to oversee the offense.
Fast forward almost a year, and all involved will find themselves on the sidelines this weekend as the Lions prepare to host the Commanders in the divisional playoffs.
Johnson has again played a pivotal role in establishing one of the premier offensive units in the NFL for Detroit, while Kingsbury has propelled Washington into similar heights alongside rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Furthermore, the four coordinators—Quinn, Kingsbury, Johnson, and Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn—are starting to attract attention from teams seeking new head coaches.
Glenn, who previously interviewed for the Commanders’ head coaching role before Quinn’s hiring, has emerged as a sought-after candidate, engaging in conversations with several teams including the Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, New Orleans Saints, and New York Jets.
“He is more than qualified at this point,” Johnson stated, praising Glenn. “He is more prepared to be a head coach than maybe anybody I’ve ever met. He has the ambition for it, and I truly believe he would excel in that role.”
Washington’s veteran tight end Zach Ertz added his support, describing Glenn as arguably one of the top coaches in the league when it comes to maximizing the potential of his players.
Similarly, Johnson has effectively optimized the Lions’ offense and is now contemplating a move from coach Dan Campbell’s staff to lead his own team, reflecting on the broader strategic picture rather than focusing solely on immediate results.
“Instead of being fixated on the offense, I now have the time and space to think about what my own program would look like,” Johnson explained.
Kingsbury, who possesses experience from managing a Power Five college program at Texas Tech for six years and the Arizona Cardinals for four seasons from 2019-2022, shared his thoughts about possibly returning to an NFL head coach role in the future.
“I’m very content here right now,” said Kingsbury. “This has been an exceptional environment that has restored my passion for the game.”
The impact of Quinn’s leadership and Kingsbury’s play-calling has been significant for the Commanders.
Renowned as a quarterback expert, Kingsbury has previously worked with notable players like Patrick Mahomes, Kyler Murray, and Caleb Williams at USC, helping Daniels emerge as a frontrunner for AP Offensive Rookie of the Year.
“His contribution has been immense for my progress since I arrived here,” Daniels remarked last week. “He wants us to dominate, ensuring we are always in the best position to achieve victory.”
Moreover, the Commanders have received a request from the Jets to speak with defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. regarding the vacant head coaching position created by the dismissal of Robert Saleh.
Whitt stated that his sole concentration is on the Lions, as he does not want to divert any focus away from supporting his players during this crucial time.
Bobby Wagner, a six-time All-Pro linebacker, praised Whitt’s skill in leveraging the strengths of the entire team.
“He has a knack for maximizing everyone’s talent,” Wagner noted. “His leadership has been instrumental in our progress this season.”
While Whitt may face an uphill battle in securing a head coaching role after only a year in charge of a defense, Kingsbury might opt to spend another year with Daniels before considering a transition.
Glenn also acknowledged the solid position he holds in Detroit but admitted that thoughts about becoming an NFL head coach have crossed his mind sooner rather than later.
“If it feels right and aligns with my family’s best interests, I’ll take it into consideration,” Glenn stated. “During the season, you’re fully immersed in your responsibilities, but when interviews begin, you reflect on those prior conversations and ponder if the opportunity aligns with winning a Super Bowl. That’s how I approach these decisions.”
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