5 dark horse candidates to replace Commanders DC Jack Del Rio in 2024
By Dean Jones
Commanders could hire DeAngelo Hall
- Assistant Defensive Backs Coach | Carolina Panthers
Wouldn't this be something?
DeAngelo Hall is no stranger to Washington Commanders fans. He was a supremely gifted shutdown cornerback who spent 10 years with the franchise and emerged as one of the league's most prolific players at the position.
After spending time as an analyst with the NFL Network following retirement, Hall opted to dip his toe into the coaching water this season. Even though the Carolina Panthers are going through some real struggles right now, the former first-round pick out of Virginia Tech has been lauded for his fine work with a secondary that's performed well above expectations this season.
Despite missing Jaycee Horn for almost the entire campaign, the Panthers are No. 6 in passing yards allowed with 176.4. This represents a significant achievement and even though defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero deserves the lion's share of credit, Hall's contribution cannot be overlooked either.
Hiring Hall to a coordinator position with just one season of coaching experience is a gamble. However, he played 14 years in the league and is well-versed in the modern defensive concepts deployed by Evero, who could be in line for a head coaching gig in 2024 as one of the few whose reputation hasn't been tarnished by Carolina's failings in 2023.
Hall was a fiery individual who quickly became a fan favorite in Washington. This is a high-risk move all things considered, but the rewards could be substantial.