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The Redskins search for their next Defensive Coordinator is ramping up this week with interviews for the three current leading candidates. While talks about/with A.J. Smith and Scot McCloughan are rightfully receiving a lot of the attention/headlines, Bruce Allen and Jay Gruden are still at work this week attempting to find the team's next defensive leader.
According to Ian Rappoport, the San Francisco 49ers' DB Coach Ed Donatell will interview with the Redskins on Wednesday. The 49ers current DC Vic Fangio recently interviewed for their vacant HC position and, if hired, it is believed that he'd select Donatell as his new DC.
#49ers DBs coach Ed Donatell will interview for the vacant #Redskins defensive coordinator job on Wednesday, source says.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 6, 2015
The next day (Thursday), the Redskins will sit down with the man most people believe to be the frontrunner for the job, Wade Phillips, according to John Keim. Wade's son Wes is the Redskins current TE Coach and Wade attended a whole lot of Redskins games this past season. He has a connection with A.J. Smith after having worked together for a number of years in San Diego.
Wade Phillips says he will interview with the Redskins on Thursday for the defensive coordinator position.
— John Keim (@john_keim) January 6, 2015
Don't sleep on San Diego Chargers' LB Coach Joe Barry, though. Ian Rappoport reports that Barry spent yesterday (Monday) and will continue to visit today in Washington interviewing with the team. Barry has DC experience, however brief, with the Lions a few years back and has experience working with Raheem Morris in Tampa Bay (also very brief).
#Chargers LB coach Joe Barry spent yesterday and today in Washington, D.C. interviewing for #Redskins defensive coordinator job, source said
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 6, 2015
So, who's it going to be? It looks very much like the Redskins next DC will be one of these three men, with Wade Phillips leading the way. However, the Redskins requested interviews with 49ers DC Vic Fangio and the Buffalo Bills defensive boss Jim Schwartz. Though these requests were declined, the HC situations in SF and Buffalo are both up in the air right now and one or both of those men could come available for interviews before anyone is hired in D.C. Though less likely, both should still be considered "people of interest."
Also, we haven't heard anymore news on the potential of hiring from within. It's been a common thought that three current Redskins defensive position coaches: DB Coach Raheem Morris, ILB Coach Kirk Olivadotti, and OLB Coach Brian Baker could receive interviews. No word on any of those guys lately.
Will the team wait until after they've ironed out any potential FO moves to make a decision on the new DC or will Bruce and Jay settle on their man before talking with Smith and/or McCloughan? It's the Redskins... who knows... Stay tuned.