Daronte Jones is turning over every stone to improve the Washington Commanders' defense, and he's not afraid to go against the grain in his quest to put the correct coaches in place to make his dreams a reality.
The Commanders were blown away by Jones' vision for the defense. Head coach Dan Quinn made no secret of that, and the new defensive coordinator is being given the freedom to make changes and implement his own schematic concepts. It's a gamble, considering his lack of NFL play-calling experience, but hopes are high nonetheless.
Jones is putting the finishing touches on his staff. Some previous assistants have been retained, and several were made surplus to requirements. That's the unfortunate price of progress. Still, his latest reported hire brings significant intrigue.
Commanders reportedly secure Jake Olsen for Daronte Jones' defensive staff
According to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, the Commanders are adding Jake Olsen to their staff. The role hasn't been officially confirmed, but his previous work with defensive backs at LSU suggests this will be the area of the field he'll focus on.
Olsen is an up-and-coming coach who has earned widespread plaudits for developing LSU's safeties over the last two years. Nobody needs to tell Commanders fans how much this defense struggled on the back end last season. While the personnel need to improve drastically, adding some extra energy and fresh ideas to the coaching staff won't hurt, either.
This move is also in keeping with Washington's approach to its staffing changes this offseason. There is a more vibrant feel around the coaches. Quinn opted for younger, more progressive minds rather than experience. It's a risky strategy, but there's no telling how much it will pay off if everything comes together.
It's also the second coach to come from the collegiate level. Eric Henderson is the new defensive line coach, leaving his post as USC's co-defensive coordinator to take up the job in Washington. Olsen has now decided to do the same, which is a sign of how Jones' ambitious project is tempting coaches in stable jobs elsewhere.
There doesn't seem to be a typical opening for Olsen on Washington's staff at the moment. Whether this will be as a defensive assistant or something else remains to be seen, but it'll be fascinating to watch the dynamic unfold when on-field preparations for the 2026 campaign gather pace.
Jones knows what he wants and strikes with conviction to get it. Expect this trend to continue when the time comes to add new additions in free agency and the draft.