Daronte Jones and the Defensive Staffing Thread

If Brian Flores leaves, which internal candidates do you think will be considered for the defensive coordinator role? — Adam M.

The clear internal candidate is Daronte Jones, who has served as the team’s defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach under Flores.

Jones, 47, is respected by players. He knows the ins and outs of Flores’ system, and he was LSU’s defensive coordinator in 2021. He also has experience working for Mike Zimmer, Lou Anarumo and Teryl Austin, giving him a deep understanding of different schemes and teaching styles.

Last year, Jones interviewed for defensive coordinator positions with the Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars and New Orleans Saints. One executive participating in one of those sessions raved about Jones’ interview, saying that he believed Jones would soon become a defensive coordinator.

But Flores isn’t the only assistant able to meet with other teams. Jones can, too. He has already interviewed for the defensive coordinator positions with the Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets. Subsequent head coaching hires could create more opportunities. If the Vikings are convinced they’d want Jones to replace Flores, they must manage the situation with foresight and alertness. Losing both would add even more uncertainty to an offseason full of it.

www.nytimes.com

Potential Brian Flores replacements, Jordan Addison’s future and more: Vikings mailbag

Vikings defensive backs coach Daronte Jones could be a candidate for the team's defensive coordinator job if Flores leaves for another team.
www.nytimes.com www.nytimes.com
 
Conn said:
At this point in the process, with who was still available and on our radar, I think this was about as well as we could have done. I preferred this guy or Scott just due to blind upside, over a known mediocre guy like Morris. And I’d rather go with that sort of risky guy because at least if it blows up, hey at least that gets us closer to the next stage of this franchise’s future. And if he’s good enough and flashes real potential as the year goes on, that means we had a good enough year to stay on the current path, likely. So either way, clarity.

I imagine they know a lot about this guy through their relationship with Flores, and believe he’ll bring that aggressive style here. He had a pretty normal progression up through the ranks over the years, which is good. He’s 47, the exact same age as Whitt (so getting his DC job two years later) when a lot of us wondered why it took so long for him to get his opportunity if he’s such a secondary whisperer…but he also spent some time coaching college so his path has been different I guess.

I’m glad it’s someone with new ideas. Who is incentivized to make a name for himself and get creative with whatever defensive pieces he is given in order to carve out his future and keep Quinn (and himself) employed. With experienced DC’s like Morris you just never know how motivated they are after being fired so many damn times and starting over again and again. This guy is getting his shot. Like Blough, they have the opportunity to make Quinn look very smart or very dumb. I’m here for it.

Interested in if we make any changes to the defensive staff, or if we essentially found someone with just enough desperation to their prospects that they’re willing to just plug in at the top of our D operation. I really hope we get some new assistants in here because whatever we were doing was not working.

After that, AP’s up to bat. He and Newmark need to crush this FA period and then the draft. If they don’t, all these coaches are toast whether they were good hires or not.
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Impossible of course to know about these candidates but dug the profile of Jones. Keim as I posted earlier today said he he has heard good things about consistently, not the case with some of the other candidates. But like the profile of a dude who supposedly is both well verse with creating turnovers and also pressure packages. And the story I posed a few days ago about him living in his car to push for a NFL job in his younger years was cool, shows he has drive. And turnovers is partly about luck but part of it is about pressure and scheme.

I posted earlier today:

E. He's heard good things from the people he talked to about Daronte Jones including thinking he can implement Flores blitz schemes
 
This dude worked for Zimmer and then Flores, this place is going to be a god damn cuddle factory to him after that. Those are two of the biggest assholes in recent league history lol. I hope he brings a little of that edge with him, I’ll be honest.
 
I am wondering if Jones brings over someone from the Vikings coaching staff and who it might be? Keep an eye on Vikings Imarjaye Albury Sr. Assistant Defensive Line. He's worked closely with him.
 
Man I didn't know that he was local. That hypes me up even more that he gets to come home. Probably a dream come true for him
 
We are going to need an infusion of defensive talent in order for Mr Jones to implement his scheme.

I am happier with this selection than many that were interviewed.

He deserves more than a one year opportunity. I sure hope he gets that here which means we need a good season
 
DWinzit said:
We are going to need an infusion of defensive talent in order for Mr Jones to implement his scheme.

I am happier with this selection than many that were interviewed.

He deserves more than a one year opportunity. I sure hope he gets that here which means we need a good season
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He needs a good season. A lot of times a new HC would keep a quality incumbent.

That diminishes if it is an assistant on their side of the ball. I really would like an offensive guy to be the next HC but we’ll see.

Lots to play out but this was a good move for the Commanders. First one this offseason where I am excited on its potential
 
KDawg said:
He needs a good season. A lot of times a new HC would keep a quality incumbent.

That diminishes if it is an assistant on their side of the ball. I really would like an offensive guy to be the next HC but we’ll see.

Lots to play out but this was a good move for the Commanders. First one this offseason where I am excited on its potential
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I'm interested to watch him build his staff. He should have a lot of good contacts. Flores not leaving Minny helps as he will be able to pilfer their staff if he desires by offering them promotions
 
From Commanders Wire:

Jones, 47, was the ninth and final name to have interviewed with the Commanders. The Commanders interviewed Jones over the weekend and quickly decided he was the right fit to lead Dan Quinn's defense in 2026. Jones spent the past four seasons with the Vikings, first as defensive backs coach in 2022, before adding the defensive pass game coordinator title in 2023. He was considered an important part of Brian Flores' defense in Minnesota.

Jones had plenty of suitors this offseason. The Commanders were his fifth known interview, and he was considered the top contender to replace Flores in Minnesota if he landed a head coaching job. Jones replaces Joe Whitt Jr., who was fired on January 6 after two seasons as Washington's defensive coordinator.
 
Washington landed on Jones, who interviewed Sunday. He impressed during his meeting with the team, the person familiar with the matter said, and pitched a vision and philosophy — centered on physicality, sound tackling and forcing takeaways — that meshed well with that of Coach Dan Quinn. Given his track record coaching defensive backs, Jones has experience that complements that of Quinn, who as a position coach worked with the defensive line.




 
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I would hazard a guess that Flores probably promoted his assistant heavily knowing he wasn’t going g to take the Commanders job. As others have said, although I am surprised DQ is hitching his future to two inexperienced coordinators given the ‘warmth’ of his seat, I would rather have a young hungry guy than a ‘meh’ experienced one. He was also at LSU with Jayden so input from him may have been a factor as well.
 
Keim's podcast.

A. Doubled down on how he's heard really good things about Daronte Jones including he's ready for this

B. Suspected Terrel Austin was a serious contender because his team was good at takeaways and Tomlin would vouch for him and Quinn is tight with Tomlin. But one source told Keim, that their offense carved the Steelers up so wasn't impressed.

C. Didn't think Al Harris was a finalist

D. Mentioned again, he's done so multiple times, that Kliff's offense made it hard for the defense to prepare for the rest of the league because it was so different including rarely showing motion

E. Mentioned that the one downside of Flores scheme he heard is for the offense in practice. He brings all these exotic blitzes in practice that the offense won't per se get from other teams. Keim seemed to think that's good and bad. Good that Jayden sees some pressure schemes where he deals with heat. Bad in these sense that the scheme is so different. Sort of the reverse issue of Kliff's offense for the defense in practice

F. Quinn was so blown away by Daronte in interviews that he asked some people about him as to what am I missing?

G. The attraction of the job is Jayden and Quinn (I gather being likeable and a good dude to coach under). The downside was Quinn is perceived on the hotseat and lack of talent

H. Quinn and this staff get that they are on the hot seat but feel comnfortable rolling the dice on this coaching staff.
 
Boone said:
I would hazard a guess that Flores probably promoted his assistant heavily knowing he wasn’t going g to take the Commanders job. As others have said, although I am surprised DQ is hitching his future to two inexperienced coordinators given the ‘warmth’ of his seat, I would rather have a young hungry guy than a ‘meh’ experienced one. He was also at LSU with Jayden so input from him may have been a factor as well.
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I think Jones was there in 2021. Jayden 2022.
 
I wonder why he was the last guy we interviewed?

Could be as simple as you don’t interview the understudy until his boss isn’t an option (and we had some shred of hope that Flores would make a lateral move, for some reason?) especially since he was possibly going to be Flores’ replacement there.

So maybe we set up an interview with him once Flores announced his return to MIN with a new contract (I would also take this as soft confirmation that Flores isn’t getting any of the remaining HC spots, which I already thought)
 
Conn said:
I wonder why he was the last guy we interviewed?

Could be as simple as you don’t interview the understudy until his boss isn’t an option (and we had some shred of hope that Flores would make a lateral move, for some reason?) especially since he was possibly going to be Flores’ replacement there.

So maybe we set up an interview with him once Flores announced his return to MIN with a new contract (I would also take this as soft confirmation that Flores isn’t getting any of the remaining HC spots, which I already thought)
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I tend to agree with you, and it's even possible that Flores referred him.
 
Conn said:
I wonder why he was the last guy we interviewed?

Could be as simple as you don’t interview the understudy until his boss isn’t an option (and we had some shred of hope that Flores would make a lateral move, for some reason?) especially since he was possibly going to be Flores’ replacement there.

So maybe we set up an interview with him once Flores announced his return to MIN with a new contract (I would also take this as soft confirmation that Flores isn’t getting any of the remaining HC spots, which I already thought)
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Yeah it wouldn't surprise me partly because Peters and Flores are supposedly close that Flores told him if you like my scheme why not consider my top underling? Yeah Jones was being interviewed around the league for two years in a row but this team was late to that process.

I do like hearing that Quinn was blown away and wondering what he was missing considering he interviewed 8 other guys as a frame of reference.
 
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