5 potential position coaches the Commanders could consider
By Jonathan Eig
Commanders could hire Zach Hanson
- Tight Ends Coach | USC Trojans
After the 2022 season, Zach Hanson's star was on the rise. So were a great many of the USC coaches.
His tight ends group performed very well, helping their quarterback, Caleb Williams, to the Heisman Trophy. Then came 2023, when the entire program took a step backward.
Suddenly, fans were calling for wholesale firings. That’s the year Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury entered the Trojans picture. He coached alongside Hanson and many others through the tough times.
Before the season, Kingsbury dropped in on Los Angeles Rams OTAs to visit with his friend Sean McVay. He brought Hanson with him. This was to acquire more information about schematics and how to successfully build relationships with the players at their disposal.
Hanson has extensive experience coaching both offensive line and tight ends at the college level. Before landing in Southern California, he coached the offensive line for the University of Tulsa. One of his players was current Commanders' guard Chris Paul.
He also coached current Dallas Cowboys star Tyler Smith, who has had a bit more success in the pros than Paul. Might he be ready for a jump to the NFL, perhaps as the tight ends coach under Kingsbury?