Washington Commanders Coaching Search Tracker: Commanders hire QB Coach to replace Tavita Pritchard

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D.J. Williams hired as QB Coach to replace Tavita Pritchard and to work under David Blough

Today the Commanders announced the hiring of D.J. Williams, son of Washington legend Doug Williams, for the role of Quarterbacks Coach.

Williams was previously an offensive assistant for the New Orleans Saints and the quarterbacks coach for the Falcons since 2024. D.J. is the first new coach to join David Blough’s staff. The Commanders also interviewed Mike Bervoci, the Panthers assistant quarterback coach, for the position.

Brian Flores interviewing today

The Washington Commanders were hoping to interview Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator, and that is happening today. His contract is expiring, but Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has already said he’d like him back if he doesn’t get an opportunity to be a head coach again during this hiring cycle. The Commanders could use someone of Flores’s coaching pedigree, but he is in high demand, and a lot of people expect him to stay in Minnesota.

Washington interviews Seahawks DB coach/pass game coordinator Karl Scott

The Washington Commanders added another name to their defensive coordinator search list today. ESPN’s John Keim reports they have interviewed Seattle Seahawks DBs coach/pass game coordinator Karl Scott for the position formerly held by Joe Whitt Jr. He has been coaching since 2007, but didn’t get a job in the NFL until 2021 as a DBs coach with the Minnesota Vikings.

Scott has been with the Seahawks since 2022, and is highly-regarded around the league. The Seahawks have one of the top defenses in the league, and have several players Washington could be interested in adding in free agency this year. Scott is also the only known candidate who doesn’t have past experience as a DC.

Kliff Kingsbury to the Eagles?

Hoping for Brian Flores

Commanders request interview with Falcons QB coach D.J. Williams

Former Cardinals HC/Eagles DC Jonathan Gannon scheduled for DC interview

First QB coach interview request reported

Dennard Wilson interviewed for DC job

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.

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.