The Washington Redskins have been fairly quiet regarding coaching changes after a disappointing and injury-filled 7-9 2018 season. Today, the team announced that Passing Game Coordinator Kevin O’Connell has been promoted to Offensive Coordinator.
The Redskins have watched as former offensive coordinator Sean McVay and his quarterback’s coach, Zac Tayor, have become two of the youngest coaches in the NFL. McVay, 33, will lead his Los Angeles Rams team into this weekend’s Super Bowl matchup against the New England Patriots in Atlanta. McVay became the youngest head coach in modern NFL history. He was the offensive coordinator of the Redskins from 2014 to 2016.
Taylor, 35, will become the new head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals after the Super Bowl.
With the success of McVay in L.A. and the NFL being a copycat league that is seeing young assistants becoming head coaches, I think the #Redskins will promote/protect passing game coordinator Kevin O’Connell from leaving for a bigger role somewhere else. If so it’s a smart move.
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewisJr) January 29, 2019
As I mentioned earlier, #Redskins have indeed promoted Kevin O’Connell to offensive coordinator. Matt Cavanaugh will now be the team’s Senior Offensive Assistant. Jim Tomsula will also return as D-Line coach.
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewisJr) January 29, 2019
The Redskins viewed O’Connell as a young rising star and, by making the move to promote him, essentially gave the team continuity on their offensive coaching staff. The former San Diego State star and five-year NFL QB spent two seasons with the Redskins as their QBs Coach and the Passing Game Coordinator this past season.
Matt Cavanaugh, who was listed as the Offensive Coordinator since the departure of McVay two seasons ago, will now be the Club’s Senior Offensive Assistant. Cavanaugh has spent the last four seasons with Washington.
The team also announced that Defensive Line Coach Jim Tomsula will be returning for his third season with the team in the same role. Tomsula has been instrumental in the development of young defensive linemen Jonathan Allen, Matt Ioannidis, Daron Payne and Tim Settle. That unit has a chance to lead the Redskins defense for the foreseeable future.
Over the past week, the Redskins have added Special Teams Coordinator Nate Kaczor, Defensive Backs Coach Ray Horton and Tight Ends Coach Brian Angelichio to the coaching staff.