Commanders Bring Former NFL Head Coach Onto Defense Staff

WHO:

Newsweek - The Washington Commanders and Dan Quinn are mentioned in connection with uncertainty about Quinn’s future with the team.

Heavy NFL - Dan Quinn, the Washington Commanders, and Steve Wilks are named; Wilks is described as a former head coach.

Heavy NFL - NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo reported the hiring.

WHAT:

Newsweek - The Washington Commanders brought in a former interim head coach amid questions about Dan Quinn’s future with the team.

Heavy NFL - Mike Garafolo reported that Dan Quinn and the Washington Commanders hired Steve Wilks to the coaching staff.

Heavy NFL - The article headline describes Wilks’s addition as being to the defensive staff.

WHERE:

Newsweek - The hiring concerns the Washington Commanders.

Heavy NFL - The hiring concerns the Washington Commanders’ coaching staff.

WHY:

Newsweek - The article says the hiring occurred amid questions about Dan Quinn’s future with the team.

HOW:

Heavy NFL - The reported hiring information was attributed to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

(UPDATED October 21, 2026 21:26 UTC)

The Washington Commanders have added former head coach Steve Wilks to their coaching staff, with the move described as an addition to the defensive staff. NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo reported the hiring. The move comes as questions continue about head coach Dan Quinn’s future with Washington. Wilks is a former head coach, though the information provided does not specify which team he coached or what role he will hold with the Commanders. His addition brings a familiar coaching figure into Washington’s organization at a time of uncertainty surrounding Quinn. The Commanders’ decision has been reported as a staff hire, but no further details about the position or the team’s plans were provided. Neither the timing of the appointment nor its connection to Quinn’s status has been detailed beyond the fact that the hiring comes amid questions about his future.