ASHBURN, Va. — The Commanders turned the page to a fresh chapter Monday, with the announcement that Ron Rivera had been relieved of his duties as head coach. The question on everyone's mind now is who will take up the helm next.
Owner Josh Harris said he plans to run a “thorough but rapid process” in finding Rivera's replacement. The NFL recently released new guidelines about the head coaching hiring process, which detail when interviews can take place.
NFL guidelines say the only head coaching candidates the Commanders can be talking to now are internal candidates, which could include offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy if Harris is considering him. The team can also talk to candidates not currently coaching in the NFL, like University of Michigan Head Coach Jim Harbaugh who is expected to draw interest from a number of NFL teams.
Those interviews can be done in person or virtually.
Starting Tuesday, the Commanders can conduct virtual interviews with coaches from other NFL teams that are not playing in this weekend’s Wild Card Games. That would include Baltimore Ravens Associate Head Coach Anthony Weaver because the Ravens have a bye week until the divisional round.
For other potential candidates including Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator Ben Jonhson, Miami Dolphins Offensive Coordinator Frank Smith and Los Angeles Rams Defensive Coordinator Raheem Morris, the Commanders will have to wait until three days after that coach’s wildcard game, which would be early to mid-next week.
All those interviews also have to be virtual.
Beginning Jan. 22, the Commanders can start conducting in-person interviews with members of other NFL coaching staffs, but only if their season is over.
Contracts can’t be finalized until a coach’s season is over unless that candidate is coming from college. NFL teams are also required to interview at least two candidates of color to comply with what’s known as the league’s Rooney Rule, which encourages the hiring of minorities.
Fans tailgating at Fed Ex Field Sunday afternoon were talking about the Commanders next head coach before Ron Rivera even finished his final game.
“I want a leader of men,” said season ticket holder Chuck Fanslau. “A guy who can make every single player feel wanted."
Grant Paulsen, a Commanders insider and co-host of the Grant and Danny sports radio talk show on 106.7 the Fan, said Harris’ hiring of Bob Myers and Rick Spielman as advisors in his search is a good sign for fans.
“I love that Josh Harris and his ownership group are not going to rely on their own acumen, as Dan Snyder did so many times," Paulsen said.
And when it comes to selecting the next head coach, Paulsen said recent history in the NFL shows offense is the way to go.
“Over the last 20 plus years, offensive-minded coaches win more often,” Paulsen said. “You know, this year in Washington's conference in the NFC, six of the seven teams making the playoffs head coach was an offensive coordinator. Eleven of the last 12 coaches, believe it or not, in the NFC Championship Game over six years were former offensive coordinators. So, it's an offensive league.”
Fans seem to agree.
“Offense, offense, offense,” said Commanders season ticket holder Hassan Ennaciri. “I want to score and I want to win shootouts.”
Fan Andy Hammond agreed.
“I’d like to see a young offensive-minded coach,” Hammond said. “I think that’s the way the NFL is going right now”
Lifelong Commanders fan Calvin Ferguson said he has faith in Harris and his leadership team to make the right decision.
“He has a history of success in professional sports,” Ferguson said. “After dealing with Dan Snyder for so long, you kind of have to have hope in anybody.”
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