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Newly hired Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn is bringing a familiar face with him to his new job.
Per NFL Network’s Steve Wyche, Joe Whitt Jr. is being hired as defensive coordinator of the Commanders. Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post confirmed the two sides had agreed to terms on a deal.
Whitt served as the secondary coach and pass game coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys for the past three seasons while Quinn was the team’s defensive coordinator.
While working with Quinn in Dallas, Whitt led one of the best secondary units in the NFL over the past few seasons. The Cowboys have ranked in the top three in turnover differential in each of the last three years. In 2023, the team totaled 26 takeaways, 17 of which were interceptions.
Whitt will be taking over a Commanders defense that generated 18 takeaways last season and had the worst turnover differential in the league at -14. Washington could be in for drastic changes on the defensive side of the ball with a defensive-minded coach like Quinn at the helm.
The hiring of Whitt is the latest move as Quinn’s coaching staff begins to take shape.
Earlier on Sunday, ESPN’s John Keim reported that former Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury agreed to become Washington’s next offensive coordinator. Kingsbury most recently served as offensive coordinator at USC where he helped develop 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams, who is one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL draft where the Commanders own the No. 2 pick.
This offseason will be crucial to the future of the Commanders as they move forward under their new ownership group led by Josh Harris. The hirings of Quinn, Whitt and Kinsbury are steps in the right direction.
