WASHINGTON — Now that Ron Rivera is out as the Washington Commanders head coach, as first confirmed by WUSA9 on Monday, the search for his replacement is underway. Owner Josh Harris said it's important for him to lead the search personally, but he's not doing it alone.
Along with other members of his ownership group, former Minnesota Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman has been tapped to aid in the search process, with former Warriors GM Bob Myers.
In a press conference Monday discussing next steps for the team, Harris praised Spielman for his football knowledge. Spielman spent a decade as the Vikings GM, and five years before that as director of player personnel.
He joined the Vikings organization in 2006. He was promoted to general manager in 2012.
Spielman was responsible for firing Leslie Frazier after the 2013 season and replacing him with Zimmer, who made his name as a clever and demanding defensive coordinator for Dallas and Cincinnati before finally getting his chance to run a team in Minnesota.
The 2017 team was the apex for the Spielman-Zimmer regime, when quarterback Case Keenum produced a career season and the defense led the league in fewest yards and points allowed.
He was fired in 2022, along with Zimmer, after the team failed to make the playoffs for the second straight year.
“It is not common in the NFL to be in a position for this long, which goes to show how this ownership group believes in stability and supports their leaders,” Spielman said in a statement distributed by the Vikings following his release from the team.
While with the Vikings, Speilman oversaw 15 drafts. Some notable draftees include Adrien Peterson, Sydney Rice, Percy Harvin and Teddy Bridgewater.
“Rick Spielman brings a wealth of football knowledge, the ins and outs of football,” Harris said Monday. “He kind of brings that knowledge of football that you need when you’re interviewing candidates.”
Spielman said he was excited to be a part of the search process.
"I know how much this franchise means to Josh and how motivated he is to re-establish a culture of winning. Josh and his partners are willing to invest the time, energy and resources to build this franchise the right way — without cutting corners — and that is critical as you approach an important offseason like the one in front of us," Spielman said.
Off the football field, Spielman is the father to six adopted children with his wife Michele.