Scott Turner was fired just over a week ago. In cutting that tie, the Washington Commanders are in search of a new man to lead their offense. That might be a difficult sell given the current state of uncertainty with the franchise. With a new owner on the horizon, there’s less job security in ANY Commanders coaching position than with any other job in the National Football League.
Nevertheless, the team have to find somebody to take over for Turner, and they have begun interviewing potential candidates. Here is a short list of the names mentioned so far:
Ken Zampese
This might be the “easiest” hire. Zampese served as the Commanders quarterback coach in 2022, and has been with Ron Rivera since he arrived.
Zampese obviously has the added advantage of not only being familiar with the past system used, but also of the personnel. The 55-year old has experience as an offensive coordinator – he served as such for the Cincinnati Bengals. He also served as their quarterback coach for thirteen seasons.
He is the son of the late Ernie Zampese – who was a disciple of the Air Coryell offense in San Diego. That is valuable given that Scott Turner’s offense was also a branch of Coryell’s.
He has worked for six NFL teams primarily as an assistant and/or quarterbacks coach.
Pat Shurmur
Shurmur has not only been around the NFL for a long time, he has even coached with Ron Rivera. They were together in Philadelphia from 1999 to 2003. He was also a candidate for the offensive coordinator position when Ron was coaching the Carolina Panthers.
Everyone knows that Ron loves a Commanther. Perhaps that’s worth mentioning here.
Most recently, the 57-year old spent two seasons as Denver’s O.C. and two seasons with the New York Giants. He hs experience working with young quarterbacks which might be something the Commanders are interested in, if they truly are planning on moving forward with Sam Howell as QB1.
Charles London
London was the Atlanta Falcons’ quarterbacks coach for the past two seasons. He has bounced around since starting his coaching career in 2010, and has little experience calling an offense.
The former Duke running back does have some run game experience though, as he has coached the Chicago Bears running backs, and Penn State’s as well. Word is that Ron and the Commanders want to implement a run-first attitude, so perhaps London’s running pedigree has more bearing than other factors, like experience.
Eric Studesville
Eric most recently served as the Miami Dolphins’ assistant head coach and running backs coach. He was the co-offensive coordinator in Miami with George Godsey, so he has experience calling plays too.
Studesville has worked in multiple systems, including both the West Coast offense and Air Coryell. As with Zampese, that could provide a leg up given the circumstances.
He has also spent 22 of his 26 coaching seasons coaching running backs. He has spent time with the Dolphins, the Bears, the Giants, the Broncos and the Bills.
The 55-year old has also already been on the same staff as Rivera. He was the offensive quality control coach in Chicago, when Rivera was the defensive quality control coach.
Other Possibilities:
Byron Leftwich
Fired this week by the Bucs after an early playoff exit, the D.C. native would seem a potentially good fit.
Joe Lombardi
Released by the Chargers, the 51-year old was with the Detroit Lions when Martin Mayhew was their general manager.
Curtis Modkins
Like Lombardi, Modkins was with the Lions when Mayhew was there. The Vikings running backs coach was the Bills’ offensive coordinator from 2010-12 and interviewed for the Eagles’ coordinator job in 2021.
Not Interested
Dolphins quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Darrell Bevell was once considered a candidate. As was former Lions head coach Jim Caldwell. Both declined interview requests from the Commanders.
It’s a tough sell with the potential prospect of a new owner wanting to start fresh.