Daronte Jones is looking to get the Washington Commanders' defense trending up after years of languishing among the bottom-feeders around the league. It won't be easy, but head coach Dan Quinn is giving him the freedom to run things as he sees fit, including molding the staff needed to put his ambitious plans into action.
Jones set out his stall quickly. Several assistants were let go, and a couple of intriguing additions have joined the ranks. However, the new defensive coordinator was dealt his first blow when a potential addition to the team made a quiet U-turn, despite all signs pointing to his arrival in Washington.
Reports suggested that the Commanders had secured a deal for Jake Olsen to join Jones' coaching unit. He's the current safeties coach at LSU, which would have made him the second hire from the college ranks after Eric Henderson left USC to become Washington's defensive line coach. However, it seems as if new Tigers' supremo Lane Kiffin has pulled out all the stops to retain his services.
Jake Olsen reportedly goes back on his initial commitment to the Commanders
According to Mike Zenitz of CBS Sports, Olsen has informed the Commanders that he will be staying in Baton Rouge. The reporter also confirmed that Kiffin worked exceptionally hard to keep him around, which probably meant more money and a potential increase in responsibilities to seal the deal.
Jones obviously saw something in Olsen. His work with LSU's defensive backs over the last two years is renowned, and the pair worked together in college. Kiffin recognized this, too, and although the terms of the agreement haven't been disclosed, his decision to remain with the Tigers indicates it's a package Washington was unwilling to match.
This is a setback. At the same time, there wasn't an opening for Olsen to walk into, which could have indicated an assistant role or something similar. Jones will have other options in mind if he wants to strengthen his coaching options, but he could just as easily stand pat before deciding whether more is required.
It's all part of the game. College football is big business these days, with players staying longer due to NIL money. That also goes for coaches, and this development will allow Olsen to continue his ascent under Kiffin in familiar surroundings.
As for Jones? He'll keep moving forward.
He'd have loved Olsen to commit, but it's not the end of the world. What's important is getting everyone to buy into his project, being a strong teacher, and helping general manager Adam Peters identify the recruits capable of thriving within his defensive scheme.
After that, everything else should fall into place.