Report: Redskins interested in Ray Horton as defensive backs coach

The Redskins have some impending staff changes to process, and the first of many might be close to being done.

The Washington Redskins lost defensive backs coach Torrian Gray earlier in the offseason; the promising teacher opted to leave Washington for his former job with the Florida Gators, leaving a void at defensive backs coach for the Redskins.

The Redskins will miss Gray. In his time with Washington, Gray showed an affinity for player development. He helped Quinton Dunbar attain his status as a top cornerback when he was healthy. He developed Kendall Fuller into an elite slot cornerback in 2017, and he helped bring Fabian Moreau, Greg Stroman, and Montae Nicholson along as well. While there was miscommunication in the secondary, Gray developed players, something not all position coaches can do.

But Gray is gone, and now the pressure is on the Redskins to find a replacement who can bring along their inconsistent secondary, in a league where pass defense is crucial to success. Earlier today, D.C. sports reporter Grant Paulsen informed the public that the Redskins were growing particularly interested in Ray Horton.

Per Paulsen, Washington offered Horton a job as a defensive backs coach, as well as the team’s passing game coordinator. The latter is a role they’re apparently taking from Greg Manusky, who lined up defensive backs in inopportune positions too often last season.

Horton, 58, has had success as a defensive backs coach before. From 2004 to 2010, he was with the Steelers, and with Pittsburgh, he won two Super Bowls, overseeing a secondary headlined by the legendary Troy Polamalu. After an illustrious stint with the Steelers, Horton received a promotion, becoming the defensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals. He didn’t have as much success at that position; he bounced around for half a decade, sitting out the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Now, after a two-year hiatus, he could be back for 2019.

Horton would bring experience to the Redskins, and he also has a history with the team. He served as the Redskins assistant defensive backs coach from 1994-1996. While he may need to shake off some rust, Horton has at least accrued success in the NFL as a position coach. Whether that success hasn’t been totally expended remains to be seen.

Whatever the case, Horton doesn’t have the job yet. If there is confirmation that the Redskins have signed Horton as their defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator, we will provide an update here.

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