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Dennard Wilson interviewed for DC
Dennard Wilson is a veteran NFL coach who was the defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans the last two seasons. He is the latest name added to the Washington Commanders interview list for their open defensive coordinator position.
Wilson, 43, is a Hyatteville, MD native who went to DeMatha High School and played at Maryland. His only season in the NFL was with the Washington Redskins in 2004, playing safety on the practice squad. Wilson entered coaching after an injury ended his first season,
going back to DeMatha as their passing game coordinator & DBs coach. He spent two years as a graduate assistant at Maryland before getting his first opportunity to coach in the NFL with the St. Louis Rams as a defensive quality control coach. Wilson spent time with the Jets, Eagles, and Ravens, before getting his first coordinator job with the Titans in 2024.
Joe Cullen interviewed for DC job
Mike Garafolo reports that Chiefs DL coach Joe Cullen has interviewed with Washington as the replacement for fired defensive coordinator Joe Whitt. This is the first time Cullen’s name has been mentioned nationally this cycle. Back in 2024, prior to Super Bowl LVIII, Kansas City quietly inked him to a contract extension.
Cullen, 58, entered the NFL as a defensive assistant in 2006 with the Lions. He returned to the college ranks in 2009 before the Jaguars hired him as their defensive line coach a year later. He also was the defensive line coach for the Browns (2013), Bucs (2014-15), Ravens (2016-20) and joined the Chiefs in that role in 2022. In 2021, Cullen was the defensive coordinator of the Jaguars.
It would seem that his most obvious link to the Commanders decision-makers may have come from his 3-year stint (’06-‘08) as the Lions defensive line coach when Asst GM Lance Newmark was in Detroit, but relationships in the NFL often run deep.
Drew Terrell
We’ve got another name for the Washington Commanders coaching search. Ian Rapoport reports that Cardinals passing game coordinator/WRs coach Drew Terrell was interviewed for the position. He said the team has also interviewed several internal candidates. Assistant QB coach David Blough was expected to be interviewed, and has interest from other teams like the Lions. Terrell has history in Washington, and was with the team from 2020-2022 under former head coach Ron Rivera. He left for Arizona before the coaching staff was fired after the 2023 season. He was part of Jonathan Gannon’s staff that was just let go.
Lunda Wells interviewing for OC job
Dan Quinn is trying to hire Dallas Cowboys TE coach Lunda Wells again, or at least interview him for the Washington Commanders open offensive coordinator position. When Quinn was hired as head coach, he attempted to bring Wells with him as his OL coach, but the Cowboys blocked it because it wasnt a promotion. Quinn moved on and hired Bobby Johnson, but he was just fired along with DC Joe Whitt Jr, and OC Kliff Kingsbury(mutually agreed to part ways*).
Update: Mike McDaniel fired by the Dolphins
Mike McDaniel was officially fired by the Miami Dolphins, and he immediately becomes the favorite to be the Washington Commanders new offensive coordinator due to his ties to current head coach Dan Quinn. McDaniel was famously fired by Quinn who encouraged him to seek treatment for alcohol abuse. McDaniel said he is forever indebted to Quinn with his path to sobriety:
Dan Quinn holds a special place in my heart and my career. I think he was there at ground zero when I became sober and supported me and gave me the opportunity to continue what I love to do. So for that, I’ll be forever indebted to him.
I think it speaks to the type of leader he is. I know he really touches every player he coaches from a true, authentic standpoint. I think the Commanders are very fortunate to have him.
Original story
The Washington Commanders moved on from offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., and offensive line coach Bobby Johnson yesterday. There are more changes expected with two new coordinators set to be hired. Kingsbury was expected to get head coaching consideration, despite the Commanders 5-12 season, but conflicts about offensive scheme reportedly led Washington to let him go shortly after the season ended.
There was more news from Washington yesterday, with Commanders assistant QB coach David Blough reportedly getting an interview with his former team, the Detroit Lions, for their newly-vacated offensive coordinator job. Johnny Morton was fired after one season of not being able to live up to the legend of Ben Johnson.
Blough was seen as a young, upcoming coach who was being groomed to take over OC when Kingsbury left for a bigger opportunity. QB coach Tavita Pritchard left Washington late last year for the head coaching position at his alma mater, Stanford, and Blough took on a lot of his responsibilities, along with Brian Johnson. Blough, along with other coaches that were seen as Kingsbury guys could also exit after yesterday’s news.
Follow along here for update from Washington’s search, and from other searches around the league. Seven head coaches have already been fired, and a few of them could be candidates for Washington’s coordinator openings.
