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Greg Manusky: The best fit for Washington Redskins defensive coordinator job

By Lindsay Austin Hough

Dec 4, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Washington Redskins outside linebackers coach Greg Manusky against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Washington Redskins outside linebackers coach Greg Manusky against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Greg Manusky’s experience should make us all feel positive about the future of the Washington Redskins defense.

When the Washington Redskins elevated Greg Manusky to defensive coordinator, some fans and media were reactionary and overly negative. Some claimed he had been given the job only after the top candidates declined or were hired elsewhere. It seemed that the team was slapping a band-aid on their defensive coordinator vacancy. A closer look at his career, however, reveals that hiring him might have been a golden opportunity that the Redskins couldn’t pass up.

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Greg Manusky’s first stint in Washington was at middle linebacker in 1988 when he made the team as an undrafted rookie out of Colgate. He was in burgundy-and-gold until 1990, and retired from playing in 1999.

In 2001, Washington hired him as their linebackers coach where he worked with Redskin great LaVar Arrington. Manusky drew praise from Arrington, who liked Manusky’s style. Manusky is known as a player’s coach, and that will make him a popular figure in the Redskins locker room.

The likable player-turned-coach now has thirty-seven years of experience including sixteen seasons as a coach, and eight as a defensive coordinator. He has worked under great football minds including Marty Schottenheimer, Mike Singletary, Chuck Pagano, and Norv Turner. He has personally coached up the likes of Patrick Willis, Junior Seau, Takeo Spikes, Navarro Bowman, Lavar Arrington, Shawne Merriman, Ahmad Brooks, Robert Mathis, Shaun Phillips, Antonio Pierce, Dwight Freeney, and Ryan Kerrigan just to name a few.

Next: Joey Mbu - The Next Redskins Nose Tackle?

Manusky’s hiring is part of a larger story at Redskins Park where owner Daniel Snyder and team president Bruce Allen are creating a culture of likability,  appointing “players’ coaches”,  like head coach Jay Gruden, who is known for his good sense of humor and openness.  With strong leadership and a locker room loaded with talent, the sky is the limit for Manusky and the Redskins defense in 2017.

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