One of the biggest hires of the NFL offseason deserves more attention.
Fifteen months ago, Kliff Kingsbury was a fired head coach who had struggled to finish with the disappointing Arizona Cardinals.
GettyKliff Kingsbury has reminded the NFL of his offensive brainpower[/caption]
Kingsbury’s team ended the 2022 season on a seven-game losing streak, which was book-ended with a 38-13 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers on the final Sunday, and he became the first victim of ‘Black Monday.’
But now, through four weeks of the 2024 season, the former Arizona leader and Texas Tech coach — Kingsbury helped Patrick Mahomes‘ college development with the Red Raiders — is flying under the radar with the Washington Commanders.
Maybe for not much longer.
With Jayden Daniels lighting up the NFL and putting up historic numbers, the No. 2 overall pick is playing like a No. 1 and an early contender for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Daniels, who won the 2023 Heisman Trophy at LSU, is clearly benefiting from Kingsbury’s NFL return.
After being fired by Arizona in January 2023 following a 28-37-1 overall record, Kingsbury took time away from the sport, then served as a senior offensive analyst with USC.
As part of the 2023 Trojans, he worked with recent No. 1 pick Caleb Williams.
On Sunday, Kingsbury received a game ball after he helped guide Daniels and the Commanders to a 42-14 road blowout of the Cardinals — the same franchise that fired Kingsbury 15 months prior.
With the 45-year-old Kingsbury serving as offensive coordinator, Washington scored on seven of its nine possessions and only punted once.
The Commanders rolled for 449 yards of offense, collected 29 first downs, went 9-of-12 on third downs and were 4-of-5 in the red zone.
x@CommandersWashington head coach Dan Quinn had a special game ball to give out[/caption]
x@CommandersQuinn called out Kliff Kingsbury, who was previously fired by Arizona[/caption]
x@CommandersKingsbury loved being honored by his new team after beating his old one[/caption]
“How many times have we talked about some of the new quarterbacks out there, that they played this style in college and now they get to the NFL, they can’t see it the same,” former NFL coach Phoebe Schecter exclusively said on talkSPORT’s Rundown show.
“How great is that, because all the NFL is is stealing from college and vice versa. So now you actually allow the scheme to fit your players. So for me that’s a total winner.”
With all eyes on Daniels — who leads the NFL with an 82.1 completion percentage — new Washington head coach Dan Quinn brought the Commanders to peak volume inside the post-game locker room by rewarding the team’s new OC.
“There’s one mother****** that ain’t leaving this ****ing city without one (a game ball),” Quinn said.
Then he paused.
“Kliff!” shouted Quinn.
Washington’s players shouted louder, breaking into an impromptu celebration as Kingsbury received a game ball, after beating the team that fired him.
“Let’s go,” said Kingsbury, as he brought the players in. “Get in, get in, get in.”
After strong starts with Arizona and Kyler Murray ended with late-season disappointment, Commanders fans loved seeing the former college head coach and offensive assistant be celebrated by a buzzing Washington team.
“Top five video of all time, this is awesome,” one fan posted.
“Redemption and revenge have to feel nice for Kingsbury about now,” a second fan tweeted.
“We’re so back,” a third fan wrote.
Washington ranks third in the NFL in average points (30.3) and sixth in yards (382.3).
Daniels is early in his career and his next big step is beating Cleveland, as the Commanders attempt to hold onto first place in the NFC East.
But through four games, it’s obvious that a man who helped Williams excel at USC has been the perfect OC for Daniels in the pros.
Kingsbury was born in San Antonio and drafted in the sixth round in 2003 by the New England Patriots.
He won a Super Bowl ring with New England but soon bounced around the league, completing 1-of-2 passes for 17 yards in 2005 with the New York Jets.
After putting up big numbers with the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europe in 2006, Kingsbury spent time with the Houston Cougars and Texas A&M before taking over Texas Tech.
He was Mahomes’ college head coach, then helped Williams at USC.
Now, Kingsbury is receiving NFL game balls inside a locker room that proudly chants his name.
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