Commanders Kliff Kingsbury would like to return to HC ‘at some point’ – Blogging Sole

Commanders Kliff Kingsbury would like to return to HC ‘at some point’ – Blogging Sole

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  • Commanders Kliff Kingsbury would like to return to HC ‘at some point’ – Blogging Sole

    John Keim, ESPN editorJanuary 2, 2025, 1:26 p.m. ET

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      John Keim covers the Washington Commanders for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2013 after a stint at the Washington Post. He began covering the team in 1994 for Journal Newspapers and later for the Washington Examiner. He is the author/co-author of four books. You can also listen to him on “The John Keim Report,” broadcast on ESPN Richmond Radio, and follow him on Twitter @john_keim.

ASHBURN, Virginia — Washington Commanders Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said he would like to become a head coach again, but declined to say if that means this offseason.

“At some point,” Kingsbury said when asked about his desire to become a head coach. “We’ll see how everything goes, but I’m very happy here.”

As of now, only three NFL teams have head coaching openings, including Chicago, and ESPN’s Courtney Cronin reported last month that Kingsbury was among the candidates the team hoped to interview. The Bears talked to Kingsbury for their offensive coordinator opening last offseason before offering the job to Shane Waldron.

Kingsbury cannot speak to a team until three days after the team’s wild-card game. Washington (11-5) clinched a playoff berth as one of three wild-card teams. He declined to say whether he would interview.

Kingsbury served as Arizonafrom 2019 to 2022 before being fired less than a year after signing an extension that will pay him through the 2027 season.

Kingsbury’s work in his first season with Washington – and with the rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels in particular – could spark interest in other open jobs after the season. The Commanders rank fourth in yards and fifth in points – the first time they have ranked in the top 10 in each category since 2012. The organization has not ranked better than 20th in either category since 2017.

Daniels threw 25 touchdown passes, rushed for six and was named to the Pro Bowl. He’s part of the reason Kingsbury is in no rush to leave, several people close to Kingsbury said.

“It’s been a great place to be and has really helped rekindle my love for the sport,” Kingsbury said.

Kingsbury spent 2023 as an offensive analyst with U.S.C.where the current Bears quarterback Caleb Williams plays.

Kingsbury said being around Washington coach Dan Quinn helped him see what he needed to do better.

“I don’t think I laid the foundation (in Arizona) the way I would after seeing DQ and how he laid the foundation from day one,” Kingsbury said. “These are the standards, this is what we want, this is what we’re going to be. I definitely could have done a better job, and once you don’t present it like that, it’s hard to put it back together.

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