Recently, the Washington Commanders made headlines by hiring former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to be their new head coach after firing Ron Rivera.
Many expressed disappointment that they didn’t simply promote offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who is now no longer a member of the organization.
On Monday, the Commanders added two new people to Quinn’s staff: Ken Norton Jr., who will be his linebackers coach, and John Pagano, who will be a senior defensive assistant.
Nick Jhabvala and Ben Standig were both on the news.
The Commanders are hiring Ken Norton as their linebackers coach, source confirmed (1st by @TomPelissero).
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) February 12, 2024
Another hire: The Commanders are adding former Chargers and Raiders DC John Pagano to the staff as a senior defensive assistant, source confirms (@AllbrightNFL 1st).
Pagano coached OLBs for Broncos (2020-21) and special assistant to UConn’s HC last season.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) February 12, 2024
Norton spent 13 seasons as a star linebacker in the NFL starting in 1988, when he was a second-round draft pick by the Cowboys.
He won two Super Bowl championships with them in 1992 and 1993, and the following year, he moved on to join the San Francisco 49ers, where he won yet another world championship.
Norton made three Pro Bowls and one All-Pro First-Team during his playing career, and after retiring following the 2000 season, he became a linebackers coach at the University of Southern California.
Starting in 2010, Norton was the Seattle Seahawks’ linebackers coach for five years, which earned him another Super Bowl ring, and he had stints as the defensive coordinator for the Oakland Raiders and the Seahawks afterward.
Pagano has a long history of coaching in several different capacities in both college and pro football dating back to 1994 when he was an assistant coach at Colorado Mesa University.
Most notably, he was with the San Diego Chargers from 2002 until 2016, and he was their defensive coordinator during his last five seasons with them.
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Matt Ryan Reveals His Thoughts On Dan Quinn Joining Commanders
