Daronte Jones and the Defensive Staffing Thread

Daronte Jones has an interesting resume. Includes coaching at HS, low college, P5 and the NFL.

His last coordinator experience was at LSU in 2021 where he was fired. But his defense was half decent given the personnel he had. That was LSU’s low point.

I’m not ready to add him to my list yet - but I’m intrigued by him. He’s got quality experience, even if not at the NFL level as a coordinator.

It’s likely Flores recommended him to Quinn.

This could be good.
 
Voice_of_Reason said:
There are only 4 HC jobs available left:
1. Raiders
2. Cardinals
3. Browns
4. Bills

So the question really is does McDermott want the Raiders job and the #1 overall pick and do they want him. He clearly isn't an option in Buffalo. If I were him I'd sit on a beach before taking the Arizona or Browns jobs.

And then the question is, if he doesn't get the Raiders job, does he want to coach or not? If yes, which teams have DC openings? The 4 teams above would look to have openings, but doubtful he would go to any of them as a DC.

Other openings:
1. Packers: This would be a legitimate option. LaFleur got an extension, the defense has talent, and should have a good offense.
2. 49ers: Saleh left for the Titans. This would be a good opening.
3. Chargers: Would McDermott want to work with Harbaugh? Eh? I dunno. That's a lot of personality in one room. I think a younger, up and coming coach would make sense

Those seem to be the top 3. Would Washington be better? I dunno. Would McDermott want to come work with another defensive minded HC? I doubt it.

After looking, I think the biggest likelihood is McDermott sits out a year.
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The Packers hired Gannon.

And I think he’d sit out if not a HC.
 
KDawg said:
The Packers hired Gannon.

And I think he’d sit out if not a HC.
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I didn't see that. Hmmm.

He should probably sit out. But who knows. If the Commanders offered him a pile of money, those guys don't really like to do nothing. Except for Kliff who went to like Thailand for 5 months or something.
 
If the Seahawks lose today it may be telling on if Karl Scott is DQ's guy as DC. I think Seattle wins it all or at least goes to the SB so we may be waiting longer but there is Morris too. Hopefully someone else takes on Morris as a HC or DC not us.
 
atozsports.com

Minnesota Vikings in danger of losing talented assistant, and it would be a huge blow for Brian Flores

Daronte Jones is set to have his fifth interview of the coaching cycle, and it's his third in the NFC East.
atozsports.com atozsports.com

Minnesota Vikings in danger of losing talented assistant, and it would be a huge blow for Brian Flores​

Daronte Jones is set to have his fifth interview of the coaching cycle, and it’s his third in the NFC East.

The Vikings’ passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach, Daronte Jones, has been a very popular coach for teams across the league, and for good reason. He’s a rising star on the defensive side of the football, and the rest of the league knows it. He is reportedly interviewing for the Washington Commanders’ defensive coordinator job on Sunday.

This is the fifth team that Jones has been requested to interview with.

Jones has been a really good coach for the Vikings under Flores, but he didn’t start with the Vikings when Flores was hired. Mike Zimmer initially brought him in for the 2020 season, and he left after that to be the defensive coordinator for the LSU Tigers. Unfortunately, his head coach, Ed Orgeron, got fired and he returned to the Vikings in 2022 when Kevin O’Connell took the job. He’s got a bevy of experience in different systems, which is appealing for many reasons.

Jones was a finalist for the Cowboys defensive coordinator job, including getting a second interview, but that went to Philadelphia Eagles defensive backs coach Christian Parker. If the Commanders bring in Jones as their defensive coordinator, it will be a significant shift for Dan Quinn, but he’s been willing to make significant changes when necessary for the betterment of the football team.

It’s not a certainty that Jones leaves the Vikings, but getting five interviews and returning would be a surprise.
 
KDawg said:
My list at the moment is:

1. Leonhard
2. Scott
3. Wilson
4. Graham
5. Gregg
6. Quinn
7. Blank space
8: Morris
9. Go to church more often.
Click to expand...

How about Zak Kuhr? The guy is coordinating the Patriots defense and is available because he is currently “inside linebackers coach”
 
Looking into Jones, I think I may have him slotted as my #2 guy ahead of Scott.

But Scott and Jones are close. Probably more like 2a/2b.


method man said:
How about Zak Kuhr? The guy is coordinating the Patriots defense and is available because he is currently “inside linebackers coach”
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im not sure he’s available. I’d have to look into him some more.
 
Voice_of_Reason said:
There are only 4 HC jobs available left:
1. Raiders
2. Cardinals
3. Browns
4. Bills

So the question really is does McDermott want the Raiders job and the #1 overall pick and do they want him. He clearly isn't an option in Buffalo. If I were him I'd sit on a beach before taking the Arizona or Browns jobs.

And then the question is, if he doesn't get the Raiders job, does he want to coach or not? If yes, which teams have DC openings? The 4 teams above would look to have openings, but doubtful he would go to any of them as a DC.

Other openings:
1. Packers: This would be a legitimate option. LaFleur got an extension, the defense has talent, and should have a good offense.
2. 49ers: Saleh left for the Titans. This would be a good opening.
3. Chargers: Would McDermott want to work with Harbaugh? Eh? I dunno. That's a lot of personality in one room. I think a younger, up and coming coach would make sense

Those seem to be the top 3. Would Washington be better? I dunno. Would McDermott want to come work with another defensive minded HC? I doubt it.

After looking, I think the biggest likelihood is McDermott sits out a year.
Click to expand...

Yes this is it. He will sit out a year. The challenge for him if he does do this is a good chunk of his staff will go get jobs elsewhere and he will have to build a staff from scratch.
 
KDawg said:
Looking into Jones, I think I may have him slotted as my #2 guy ahead of Scott.

But Scott and Jones are close. Probably more like 2a/2b.



im not sure he’s available. I’d have to look into him some more.
Click to expand...

He is. We can literally go offer him tomorrow if the Pats lose today because he would be getting a promotion with us.

The Pats DC has been recovering from cancer and will be back next season.

If they are smart, they make that guy AHC and Kuhr DC but let’s see

KDawg On Leonhard, I don’t think he has any interest coming here. He has (smartly) been picky about DC gigs he is interviewing for including last season. If VJ gets the Cards job which no one else wants, he can stay put in Denver and coordinate that D next year
 
I wonder if there's any coincidence in them looking more towards pass game coordinators and/or DB coaches?
 
Higskin said:
I wonder if there's any coincidence in them looking more towards pass game coordinators and/or DB coaches?
Click to expand...
Well, the DB coach would typically be a pass game coordinator. It is “semi” coordinator experience. Probably not much more to it than that. Although our DBs did stink.
 
KDawg said:
Well, the DB coach would typically be a pass game coordinator. It is “semi” coordinator experience. Probably not much more to it than that. Although our DBs did stink.
Click to expand...

I think Keim’s football opinions are the opposite of sharp but he has a good point that ex linebackers tend to be the best candidates because they understand both run fits and the passing game. We just saw ex PGC Whitt really struggle with run fits here
 
method man said:
I think Keim’s football opinions are the opposite of sharp but he has a good point that ex linebackers tend to be the best candidates because they understand both run fits and the passing game. We just saw ex PGC Whitt really struggle with run fits here
Click to expand...
I agree.

But DB coaches tend to be pass game coordinators for whatever reason. They are responsible for the pass game primarily.

DB = pass game
DL = run game
LB = DC

Not a definitive rule, but ya.
 
KDawg said:
Daronte Jones has an interesting resume. Includes coaching at HS, low college, P5 and the NFL.

His last coordinator experience was at LSU in 2021 where he was fired. But his defense was half decent given the personnel he had. That was LSU’s low point.

I’m not ready to add him to my list yet - but I’m intrigued by him. He’s got quality experience, even if not at the NFL level as a coordinator.

It’s likely Flores recommended him to Quinn.

This could be good.
Click to expand...

When the site was down I was about to post a similar thought.



 
method man said:
Wilson was kind of like Graham in that he seemed to do what he could with the limited talent he had in Tennessee. Let's see what he can now do with upper tier defensive talent
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Yeah the hype around Harbaugh is a bit nauseating. But they have three things Washington doesn't IMO.

A. A better HC but more on point one with plenty job security

B. One of Harbaugh's conditions I read was a big payroll for his assistant coaching staff to allow them to out bid other suitors

C. A more talented defensive unit that has underacheived so its a good setup for a competent coordinator to take over
 
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