Commanders continue massive coaching staff changes, including notable fan favorite
Daronte Jones made some tough decisions as the new defensive coordinator by moving on from several coaches, including Ryan Kerrigan.
The Washington Commanders made a change at defensive coordinator, and it was just the first domino to fall for the coaching staff.
After hiring Daronte Jones as the new defensive coordinator, more changes were expected instead of in-house promotions. Sometimes decisions are tough and go against what fans hope for, especially when it comes to letting go of a legend of the team, but changes had to happen.
Jones has decided to move on from a handful of assistant coaches, including Ryan Kerrigan, and you can expect more to come.
Commanders move on from Ryan Kerrigan and other assistant coaches
When a team hires a new head coach or coordinator, they usually want to bring in their own guys that they’re familiar with, which means other remaining coaches are usually on their way out. We’re still waiting to see who Jones adds to the staff, but in the meantime, he’s starting to clean up shop by letting go of Ryan Kerrigan, Sharrif Floyd, and Pete Ohnegian.
Kerrigan is obviously a Washington legend as the franchise sack leader, but he’s also been a defensive line coach since he started his coaching career in 2022. Floyd was another assistant defensive line coach who had been with the Commanders for the last two seasons, but the defensive line has been a major weakness, and both had to go.
Ohnegian might be the most notable name to go since he was the player development coach, and that’s another area that has been worrisome for fans. The Commanders have used a lot of draft picks over the last two seasons, and they haven’t seen many rise in their growth and development. Younger players actually took a step back in 2025 compared to the season before, and it’s an area that needs to improve.
Daronte Jones could bring in a familiar face
Subtractions to the coaching staff means more additions are on the way, and the Commanders are also likely to lose Jason Simmons in the secondary. The secondary is a vital part of Jones’ defense, but the defensive line has to do its job as well. We aren’t sure who he could be bringing in as the defensive passing game coordinator, since that was his job with the Minnesota Vikings, but there’s an obvious answer for the defensive line.
Jones could likely bring in Marcus Dixon, who was the Vikings’ defensive line coach, and he’s now a free agent who can sign with anyone. The Dallas Cowboys just interviewed Dixon for their defensive line position, so they may have to act fast if he’s the guy they want.
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