Virtually every candidate the Washington Commanders have in mind for their head coaching position will be available for an interview this week, making the next few days critical for the future of the football team.
Just like with the general manager search, it appears that owner Josh Harris will cast a wide net, while also moving quickly and working to lock up his top candidate when he is identified.
The search committee has grown by one in the last week, with Adam Peters, the team’s new general manager, joining Harris, Rob Myers and Rick Spielman.
They’ll conduct mostly virtual interviews, as the NFL maintains tight control over the process to ensure coaches still competing aren’t distracted from their day jobs.
Candidates on teams that won over the weekend are allowed to conduct virtual interviews this week starting three days after their game.
For Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, that means the first time he can engage with the Commanders will be on Wednesday.
The teams that had a bye week were required to let their assistants conduct their interviews last week. Washington reportedly spoke then with Anthony Weaver, the Baltimore Ravens’ assistant head coach and defensive line coach.
Coaches on teams that lost, didn’t make the playoffs or were fired are now available anytime. That includes Mike Vrabel and Bill Belichick, though it’s unclear if the Commanders have any interest in either.
The other wild card is University of Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, who reportedly interviewed with the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday. It’s considered unlikely he would take the Washington job, given that the Commanders have a strong personnel chief in place.
The early favorite is Johnson, a phenom who has helped Detroit reach heights the franchise rarely ascends.
At 37, he would become the league’s youngest head coach if he were hired by the Commanders, though he turned down at least some interviews and opportunities during last year’s cycle.
He also has ties to Spielman, just as Peters had a longstanding relationship with Myers.
Two of the candidates would bring one of the internet’s most popular Commanders memes full circle.
Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik were both on the famed 2013 Redskins coaching staff, which to date has produced more NFL head coaches (4) than the team had victories (3).
Morris and Slowik are each considered strong candidates for the openings this season. Morris was a young head coach himself in Tampa, and has received the strong endorsement of both Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan as he pursues openings.
One name that was red-hot a week ago has cooled off considerably after Sunday’s games.
Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn helped build the Seahawks defense before nearly winning a Super Bowl as a head coach in Atlanta with Kyle Shanahan.
Quinn picked a bad time to have a bad game, though, as America watched on Sunday as the Cowboys and Quinn’s defense were gutted by the Green Bay Packers.
The Commanders had already set up a Thursday virtual interview with Quinn, though it’s unknown how serious the interest is between the two sides.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.