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Sam Mills III faces the tough task of replacing Jim Tomsula in Washington

By Jacob Camenker

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - JANUARY 19: Head coach Sam Mills III of the Carolina Panthers on the East Team gets interviewed after a 21-17 win over the West Team at the 2019 East-West Shrine Game at Tropicana Field on January 19, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - JANUARY 19: Head coach Sam Mills III of the Carolina Panthers on the East Team gets interviewed after a 21-17 win over the West Team at the 2019 East-West Shrine Game at Tropicana Field on January 19, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 24: Washington Redskins defensive line coach Jim Tomsula talks with his players after recovering a fumble by Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings in the first quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 24, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 24: Washington Redskins defensive line coach Jim Tomsula talks with his players after recovering a fumble by Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings in the first quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 24, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /

Jim Tomsula did excellent work for Washington’s defensive line. Now, Sam Mills III will be tasked with replacing the talented coach.

Throughout the past four seasons, Washington’s defensive line has gone from the team’s biggest weakness to their biggest strength. And the transformation of the unit began in earnest during the 2017 campaign.

After adding Jonathan Allen to the defensive line via the 2017 NFL Draft, things were starting to look up for the team. They had at least one strong player on the squad that could serve as a building block for the team in the future.

But the bigger addition was one made behind the scenes. Jim Tomsula was added to the coaching staff to serve as the team’s defensive line coach. Tomsula had a history of success with the San Francisco 49ers.

Tomsula helped to build that unit into a strength from 2007 to 2014 and helped develop excellent players like Justin Smith, Ray McDonald, Isaac Sopoaga, and more as the 49ers became one of the league’s best defensive units. And the team’s excellent pass rush is a big part of why they were able to advance to Super Bowl 48 where they lost to the Ravens 34-31.

After a brief stint as the Niners’ head coach — he was the interim after Jim Harbaugh’s departure and stayed on board for a year after that — he spent 2016 out of the league. Then, he came to Washington and began building up their defensive line. Allen developed. So did Matt Ioannidis. Then came Daron Payne and Tim Settle. And Montez Sweat. After that, the team’s depth chart became loaded, and heading into 2020, it’s one of the most talented position groups in the NFL.

But Washington’s line will have to prove that they can survive without Tomsula. The accomplished coach was purged as part of the departure of Jay Gruden’s staff and Greg Manusky’s defense. He’s now a member of the Dallas Cowboys’ staff.

The man that gets to take on the task of replacing Tomsula will be Sam Mills III. Mills is a 15-year coaching veteran who has 10 seasons of experience coaching along the defensive line. Here’s everything to know about him as he looks to keep Washington’s best overall unit playing up to par during the 2020 NFL season.

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