The Washington Commanders are wasting no time reshaping their coaching staff under new head coach Dan Quinn, and the latest addition signals another move aimed squarely at revitalizing the defense. According to multiple reports, the Commanders are set to bring in LSU safeties coach Jake Olsen-another college hire with a strong recent track record.
Olsen has spent the past two seasons at LSU, where he helped guide the Tigers’ defense to a top-25 national ranking in scoring defense. That kind of production at the college level doesn’t go unnoticed in NFL circles, especially for a team like Washington that’s looking to re-establish a defensive identity after a tough 5-12 campaign.
This move continues a clear trend for the Commanders this offseason: tapping into the college ranks to inject fresh energy and ideas into the defensive side of the ball. Olsen joins a growing group of newcomers, headlined by new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones-a coach with deep ties to some of the NFL’s most respected defensive minds.
Jones arrives in Washington after serving as a trusted lieutenant to Brian Flores over the past three seasons. That connection speaks volumes, considering Flores’ reputation for building aggressive, disciplined defenses.
Jones also brings experience from stints under Vance Joseph and Mike Zimmer, two coaches known for their schematic savvy and player development. For a Commanders unit that struggled to find consistency last season, Jones’ pedigree could be exactly what’s needed to turn things around.
But the front office didn’t stop there. Washington also reached into the college coaching pool to land Eric Henderson from USC.
Henderson will take over as the defensive line coach and defensive run game coordinator-a dual role that hints at the level of trust the team is placing in his ability to shape the trenches. And while he’s coming from the college game, Henderson is no stranger to the NFL.
He previously coached the defensive line for the Los Angeles Rams, where he worked with none other than Aaron Donald. That experience carries weight.
Coaching a generational talent like Donald not only gives Henderson credibility, it also suggests he understands how to maximize elite defensive line play.
It’s clear that Dan Quinn and the Commanders are building a defensive staff with a mix of fresh perspectives and proven experience. Olsen brings collegiate success, Jones offers NFL seasoning and scheme versatility, and Henderson has worked with some of the best in the game. Together, they form a foundation that could help Washington rediscover the kind of defensive edge that defined the franchise in better years.
The Commanders have a long way to go after a 5-12 finish, but with these hires, they’re signaling a commitment to rebuilding from the ground up-starting with the defense. And if these coaches can translate their past success to the NFL level, Washington may not be down for long.