Commanders Hire New Coaches to Change Offense and Defense

The Washington Commanders are changing their coaches. David Blough will lead the offense and Daronte Jones will lead the defense. The team hopes these changes will help them play better next season.
By Newsroom | NFL, Washington Commanders |

The Washington Commanders are embarking on a new era under Head Coach Dan Quinn, marked by significant changes in their offensive and defensive coordinator positions. This transition, following a season of disappointing results, brings in new leadership with distinct approaches, aiming to unlock the potential of quarterback Jayden Daniels and establish a more aggressive defensive presence. The team's ability to integrate these new philosophies and personnel will be closely watched as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Context of Changes

The Washington Commanders' coaching staff has undergone a substantial overhaul following a difficult season. Head Coach Dan Quinn, entering his third year at the helm, has appointed David Blough as Offensive Coordinator and Daronte Jones as Defensive Coordinator. These appointments replace Kliff Kingsbury (Offensive Coordinator) and Joe Whitt Jr. (Defensive Coordinator), who departed after the season. The timing of these announcements and the formal introductions of Blough and Jones to the media occurred around the week of February 11, 2026, with related articles published in early to mid-January 2026.

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Commanders' Dan Quinn makes two things clear with new hires - 1

  • Previous Season Performance: The Commanders experienced a notable decline in performance, finishing with a 2-5 record in Jayden Daniels' starts and 5-12 overall. This performance drop-off is cited as a primary driver for the extensive changes.

  • New Coordinators' Backgrounds:

  • David Blough: A former NFL quarterback with limited coaching experience (two years as assistant quarterbacks coach), Blough, aged 30, has been elevated to Offensive Coordinator. Quinn had previously expressed strong confidence in Blough, preventing him from interviewing for other roles in the prior offseason.

  • Daronte Jones: While specifics of his defensive scheme are less detailed, Jones is described as favoring an aggressive approach, particularly on third downs.

  • Previous Coordinators:

  • Kliff Kingsbury: His tenure ended after the season, with reports suggesting a desire to utilize quarterback Jayden Daniels more from under center, a goal that the new offensive scheme is expected to prioritize.

  • Joe Whitt Jr.: A longtime colleague of Quinn, Whitt's departure is part of the broader staff restructuring.

Strategic Direction: Offense

A central theme of the new offensive direction under David Blough is the increased utilization of quarterback Jayden Daniels from under center. This represents a notable departure from his first two seasons, where he predominantly operated from the shotgun formation.

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Commanders' Dan Quinn makes two things clear with new hires - 2

  • Jayden Daniels' Usage: Across his first two NFL seasons, Daniels attempted only 18 passes from under center. The new offensive scheme aims to rectify this by running more plays from this formation.

  • Synergy with Run Game: The emphasis on under-center play is intended to better marry the run game with the passing game, potentially creating a more balanced and effective offensive attack.

  • Offensive Coordinator's Philosophy: Blough's offensive adjustments are expected to contribute to the overall evolution of the offense, with Quinn asserting that the unit will "look different" under his coordination.

Strategic Direction: Defense

While detailed schematics for the defensive side are less elaborated upon, the introduction of Daronte Jones signals a clear intent for an aggressive defensive style.

Commanders' Dan Quinn makes two things clear with new hires - 3

  • Aggressive Mentality: Reports suggest Jones favors an aggressive approach, particularly in critical situations like third downs.

  • Impact on Opponents: An aggressive defensive scheme can alter how opponents prepare, influencing their play-calling and clock management strategies.

  • Player Adaptation: For the players, a new defensive coordinator means learning new terminology, install packages, and practice emphases, which can affect their development and on-field execution.

Implications of Coordinator Changes

The appointment of new coordinators carries significant implications for team dynamics, player development, and overall game-day execution.

Read More: Commanders Name New Coordinators David Blough and Daronte Jones

Commanders' Dan Quinn makes two things clear with new hires - 4

  • Player Development: New coordinators require players to learn fresh concepts and terminology. The speed of adaptation can significantly impact a team's development curve.

  • Execution and Alignment: When a head coach and coordinators are aligned in their vision and strategy, on-field execution tends to strengthen. Conversely, a lack of alignment can lead to fractured decision-making during games.

  • Game Planning and Expectations: The shift in coordinators reshapes game planning, personnel fitting, and consequently, the expectations for the roster's performance in the upcoming season.

Expert Insights

Analysis from various sources indicates that Head Coach Dan Quinn is making deliberate, albeit potentially risky, choices in his coordinator hires, aiming for a significant performance turnaround.

  • Quinn's Philosophy: Quinn's past success (eight seasons finishing above .500 in 13 years as head coach or defensive coordinator) suggests a strategic approach to building his coaching staff. His decision to retain Blough and hire Jones points to a belief in their ability to implement his vision.

  • Risk Assessment: Some analyses suggest that Quinn is taking "massive risks" with these hires, particularly with Blough's limited experience. However, Quinn's demonstrated commitment to Blough, including blocking previous interview requests, underscores his confidence in the offensive coordinator.

Conclusion and Outlook

The Washington Commanders are at a pivotal juncture, with Head Coach Dan Quinn signaling a clear intent to reshape the team's identity through his new offensive and defensive coordinators. The emphasis on featuring Jayden Daniels under center and deploying an aggressive defensive scheme are the most prominent directives emerging from these changes. The success of this strategic pivot will hinge on how effectively the new coordinators can integrate their philosophies, how quickly the players adapt to new systems, and the degree of alignment between Quinn and his new leadership team. The coming season will serve as the ultimate test of these decisions, with the team's ability to translate vision into consistent on-field performance being the primary metric of success.

Sources:

  • Commanders' Dan Quinn makes two things clear with new hires

  • Published: February 11, 2026

  • Context: Introduces new coordinators and highlights key philosophical shifts.

  • Link: https://commanderswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/commanders/2026/02/11/washington-commanders-dan-quinn-makes-two-things-clear/88618480007/

  • Commanders try reversing last season's dismal results with two first-time coordinators

  • Published: February 11, 2026

  • Context: Details the hiring of Blough and Jones and their roles in replacing previous coordinators.

  • Link: https://apnews.com/article/commanders-coordinators-jayden-daniels-dan-quinn-david-blough-9f22f90388365010731127fabf85cd60

  • Quinn expects more of Daniels under center with new OC Blough

  • Published: February 11, 2026

  • Context: Focuses on the offensive strategy shift and the expected increase in under-center plays for Jayden Daniels.

  • Link: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47890571/quinn-expects-daniels-center-more-new-oc-blough

  • Commanders Shake Up Staff, Quinn Names Two New Coordinators

  • Published: January 6, 2026

  • Context: Discusses the broader implications of coordinator changes on game planning and player development.

  • Link: https://news.spreely.com/commanders-shake-up-staff-quinn-names-two-new-coordinators/

  • What we know and what’s still ahead as Commanders reconfigure their coaching staff

  • Published: January 30, 2026

  • Context: Provides background on Quinn's coaching history and his previous support for David Blough.

  • Link: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7008969/2026/01/30/commanders-coaching-staff-changes-dan-quinn/

  • Commanders' Plan for Jayden Daniels Under New OC David Blough Revealed By Dan Quinn

  • Published: February 11, 2026

  • Context: Explicitly states the plan to feature Jayden Daniels under center more often with David Blough as OC.

  • Link: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25395655-commanders-plan-jayden-daniels-under-new-oc-david-blough-revealed-dan-quinn

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who are the new coaches for the Commanders?
David Blough is the new offensive coordinator and Daronte Jones is the new defensive coordinator.
Q: Why did the Commanders change coaches?
The team did not play well last season and wants to improve.
Q: What is the plan for quarterback Jayden Daniels?
The new offense plans to have Jayden Daniels play more often from under the center.
Q: Is the new defensive plan aggressive?
Yes, the new defensive coordinator likes to play an aggressive style, especially on third downs.