WASHINGTON — The Washington Commanders have hired Kliff Kingsbury as the team's offensive coordinator, The Commanders officially made the announcement on Monday.
Kingsbury is the the team's first hire since it was announced that Dan Quinn would become head coach. On Saturday, Kingsbury pulled out of consideration for the Las Vegas Raiders offensive coordinator job.
He returns to the NFL after spending last season as a quarterbacks coach at USC.
Prior to his time at USC, Kingsbury served as the head coach for the Arizona Cardinals for four seasons (2019-22). In 2021, Arizona posted an 11-6 record and secured a playoff berth. Kingsbury became the first head coach since 2015 to post 11-plus wins in a single season and lead the Cardinals to the playoffs. The Cardinals offense ranked top 10 in the league in total offense (8th), touchdowns scored (tied for 8th) and rushing offense (10th). Arizona was one of three teams to rank in the top 10 in total, rushing and passing offense that season.
Kingsbury worked closely with Cardinals QB Kyler Murray. In 2020, Murray threw for a career-high 3,971 passing yards and 26 touchdowns and earned Pro Bowl honors. In his first year under Kingsbury’s guidance in 2019, Murray earned Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
From 2013-18, Kingsbury served as the head coach at his alma mater Texas Tech. Each season that Kingsbury called plays for the Red Raiders’ offense, they ranked in the top 10 for passing yards and in the top 20 in total offense. His teams also averaged at least 30 points per game in every season.
In 2015, Texas Tech ranked second in the country in total offense (570.5), passing offense (388.2) and scoring offense (45.1). QB Patrick Mahomes threw for 4,633 yards and 36 touchdowns, becoming the youngest quarterback in NCAA history to amass 5,000 yards of total offense as he led the nation in that category (393.0).
In 2012, Kingsbury served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Texas A&M, helping QB Johnny Manziel become the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy. The Aggies ranked third nationally in total offense (558.5), 13th nationally in rushing offense (242.1) and 14th in passing offense (316.5).
Whether it's through the draft, by trade or in free agency, the Commanders are expected to add a quarterback or two in the coming months after 2022 fifth-rounder Sam Howell started all 18 games this past season. Howell led the NFL with 612 passes and 21 interceptions and was sacked a league-high 65 times.
Kingsbury being a QB guru clearly made him a desirable candidate to run Washington's offense under Quinn, in a head job for the second time after coaching the Atlanta Falcons from 2015-20.
Do you have a news tip on this story or any other story? We want to hear from you. Tell us about it by emailing newstips@wusa9.com.
WATCH NEXT:
MORE WAYS TO GET WUSA9
DOWNLOAD THE WUSA9 APP
Apple App Store: WUSA9 News on Apple
Google Play Store: WUSA9 News on Android
HOW TO ADD THE FREE WUSA9+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for WUSA9.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "WUSA9" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE WUSA9 NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our daily WUSA9 Newsletter for top stories from WUSA9 curated daily just for you. Get content and information right now for can’t-miss stories, Commanders content, weather, and more delivered right to your inbox.