The Washington Commanders have hired former Dallas Cowboys secondary coach and passing game coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. to be their new defensive coordinator. Here are five things to know about one of the newest members of the coaching staff.
1. His cornerbacks know how to force turnovers.
The Commanders have stressed the importance of creating turnovers for the past three seasons. For all the attention paid to getting more takeaways, the team hasn't done much of it outside of the 2020 season. They've ranked near the bottom since 2021, and the 18 they forced in 2023 was tied for the sixth fewest in the NFL.
Having Whitt on the staff should help fix that, because there haven't been many teams better than the Cowboys at taking the ball away.
In the time that Whitt was on the Cowboys' staff, their defense forced 93 turnovers and led the league in the category in 2021 and 2022. Much of that has come from interceptions; Whitt's secondary has been in the top 10 in each of the last three seasons.
Also, a Cowboys cornerback led the NFL in interceptions in two of the past three years. Trevon Diggs was the first to do it in 2021, leading the NFL with 11 interceptions and tied a franchise record while also earning his first Pro Bowl honors. Diggs was also named First Team All Pro as voted on by the Associated Press.
In 2023, DaRon Bland took on a bigger role in the secondary, starting in 15 of 17 games and grabbing nine interceptions, five of which were returned for touchdowns, setting an NFL single-season record.
Conversely, Washington has struggled to grab interceptions since the 2022 season, getting just 17 in 34 games. Perhaps Whitt has the key to figure out Washington's struggles.
2. His dad convinced him to begin his NFL coaching career.
Whitt had always wanted to be a college coach. From the time his playing career at Auburn ended because of injuries, Whitt believed that his path involved him staying at the college level. That's how things started out for him, too. He went from being a student assistant with the Tigers to coaching wide receivers at The Citadel and cornerbacks for Louisville on top of being the program's recruiting coordinator.
In 2007, Whitt had a choice: he could work for Gene Chizik at Iowa State, or he could follow Bobby Petrino and coach in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons. Whitt was leaning towards staying in college, but then he spoke with his father, Joe Whitt Sr., who coached at Auburn for 25 years.
"My dad said, 'Joe, you need to get that recruiting tag off your name,'" Whitt said on the "Talking Tigers" podcast. "Nobody was giving me credit for being a good coach. I was just known as a recruiter. He [Whitt Sr.] said, 'If you want to do right by you and your family, you go to the NFL with Bobby.'"
That was enough to sway Whitt, and he was hired as the Falcons' assistant defensive backs coach. The decision to choose the NFL over college led to a 17-year professional career that includes stints with the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on top of the Cowboys, Falcons and now the Commanders. He even helped the Packers win a Super Bowl trophy, when the Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 31-25.
So, assuming Whitt goes on to have a successful time in Washington, you can give some thanks to Joe Whitt Sr. for convincing his son to take a chance on making a name for himself in the NFL.
3. He helped Charles Woodson earn Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Whitt spent most of his career in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on the Packers coaching staff. He started out as a defensive quality control coach but was quickly promoted to the cornerbacks coach, a position he held for nine seasons before being promoted again to the team's defensive passing game coordinator.
It was around the time Whitt first joined the staff that Charles Woodson joined the Packers after eight seasons with the Raiders. With Whitt's help, Woodson rejuvenated his career and had some of the best seasons of his career as a member of the Packers' secondary.
Prior to Whitt taking over as the cornerbacks coach in 2008, Woodson hadn't been to the Pro Bowl or named an All-Pro since 2001. Once Whitt took on a larger role with the team, Woodson was named to four consecutive Pro Bowls, led the league in interceptions twice and recorded 65 pass breakups. In 2009, Woodson won the Defensive Player of the Year award for a career-best nine interceptions, four forced fumbles, 18 pass breakups and three defensive touchdowns, becoming 1-of-11 defensive backs in NFL history to achieve the honor.
Once Whitt was relieved of his duties with the Packers in 2019, Woodson gave his endorsement to his former position coach on Twitter.
"I 100% and whole heartedly vouch for joe Whitt Jr. for any team out there needing to fill their staff.. Great teacher and coach that players can trust.. hard to find that combo," Woodson tweeted with the "100" emoji.
Check out photos of new Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn at his previous stops with the Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons. (Photos via The Associated Press)
Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn watches warm ups before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles, 33-13. (James D. Smith via AP)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn in action during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn sits on the sidelines before the first half of an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Dallas Cowboys safety Markquese Bell (14) talks with defensive coordinator Dan Quinn during warm ups before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn (center) walks away from the defensive huddle during an NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023 in Oxnard, Calif. (James D Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn is shown during an NFL football practice Wednesday, May 30, 2018, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll hugs Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn during an NFL regular season football game on Monday, Nov. 20, 2017 in Seattle. The Falcons won, 34-31. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Dallas Cowboys defensive coodinator Dan Quinn (with radio) calls a play during an NFL football training camp Tuesday, July 27, 2021 in Oxnard, Calif. (James D Smith via AP)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn cheers his team during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Miami Dolphins, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Dolphins defeated the Cowboys, 22-20. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys coach Dan Quinn poses for a photo prior to an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, in Arlington, Tx. The Packers won 48-32. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Dallas Cowboys coach Dan Quinn looks on from the field prior to an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, in Arlington, Tx. The Packers won 48-32. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024 in Landover, Md. The Cowboys defeated the Commanders, 38-10. (James D. Smith via AP)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn walks the sidelines against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn walks onto the field prior to an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, January 7, 2024, in Landover, Md. Dallas won 38-10. (Kara Durrette via AP)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn works with his defensive linemen during the first day of an NFL training camp football practice Thursday, July 27, 2017, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019 in Tampa, Fla. ( Tom DiPace via AP)
Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, left, speaks with Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn before the first half of an NFL football NFC divisional playoff game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn watches the team warm up before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn (right) moves safety Juanyeh Thomas (30) into position during an NFL football practice at the Cowboys' training facility, Thursday, June 1, 2023 in Frisco, Texas. (James D. Smith via AP)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn looks on during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019 in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals defeated the Falcons 34-33. (Joe Robbins via AP)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn works with his defensive line during an NFL minicamp football practice Wednesday, June 14, 2017, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Dallas Cowboys defensive coodinator Dan Quinn (with radio) calls a play during an NFL football training camp Tuesday, July 27, 2021 in Oxnard, Calif. (James D Smith via AP)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn speaks to his players after the team's rookie camp football practice Saturday, May 12, 2018, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Tampa, Fla. ( Tom DiPace via AP)
Dallas Cowboys head coach Dan Quinn (left) talks with NFL referee Brad Rogers (right) during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, in New Orleans. The Cowboys defeated the Saints, 27-17. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn (center) talks as the team practiced in pads for the first time during an NFL football training camp Wednesday, July 28, 2021 in Oxnard, Calif. (James D Smith via AP)
Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn checks the scoreboard in the fourth quarter during the NFL football Super Bowl LI game Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston. The New England Patriots won 34 - 28 in overtime. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn works with his defensive linemen during the team's NFL training camp football practice Friday, July 28, 2017, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn cheers his team during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Miami Dolphins, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn (center) watches defensive ends Villami Fehoko (93) and Durrell Johnson (51) during an NFL football training camp Wednesday, July 26, 2023 in Oxnard, Calif. (James D Smith via AP)
FILE - In this Nov. 22, 2015, file photo, Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn watches play against the Indianapolis Colts during an NFL football game in Atlanta. The Falcons have the 17th pick in the first round in next week's NFL draft in Chicago. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn speaks with Indianapolis Colts free safety Winston Guy (27) before the first of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn walks on the field during the team's NFL football training camp Thursday, July 28, 2016, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn watches after the play against the New Orleans Saints during an NFL game, Thursday, Dec. 02, 2021, in New Orleans. The Cowboys beat the Saints 27-17. (Cooper Neill via AP)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn runs with his players during their NFL training camp football practice Thursday, July 25, 2019, in Flowery Branch, Ga.(AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn speaks to his team after the Washington Redskins intercepted the ball during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn speaks to players during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn runs with his players during the team's NFL training camp football practice Friday, July 28, 2017, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn watches Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) walk to the bench against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017. Atlanta won 30-26. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn is shown during an NFL football practice Wednesday, May 30, 2018, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle John Ridgeway (95) works in a drill with defensive coordinator Dan Quinn (right) during an NFL football training camp practice Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, in Oxnard, Calif. (James D. Smith via AP)
In this Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2017 file photo, Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn gives instruction to his players during the team's NFL training camp football practice in Flowery Branch, Ga. Coach Dan Quinn's focus for the Atlanta Falcons' final preseason game against Jacksonville on Thursday night, Aug. 31, 2017 will be making final roster evaluations with cuts coming on Saturday. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) talks with head coach Dan Quinn, right, during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn takes a photo with a fan before the first half of an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Jacksonville Jaguars, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn (right) demonstrates a drill during an NFL football rookie mini camp Friday, May 13, 2022 in Frisco, Texas. (James D. Smith via AP)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn walks the sidelines against the Washington Redskins during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn runs to a drill during an NFL football training camp Wednesday, July 26, 2023 in Oxnard, Calif. (James D Smith via AP)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn, center, congratulates nose tackle Jonathan Babineaux (95) after a play against the Tennessee Titans in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn walks as his players stretch during an NFL football training camp practice Monday, Aug. 3, 2015, in Flowery Branch , Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn talks with quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn uses a radio to call in a defensive play during an NFL football training camp practice Monday, Aug. 16, 2021 in Frisco, Texas. (James D Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn watches during an NFL football training camp practice Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, in Oxnard, Calif. (James D. Smith via AP)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn yells during pregame warm-ups during the NFL Hall of Fame game against the Denver Broncos, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019, in Canton, Ohio. The Broncos defeated the Falcons 14-10. (Margaret Bowles via AP)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn walks the sidelines against the Washington Redskins during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Former Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn walks on stage for a news conference to introduce Quinn as the new head coach of the Atlanta Falcons Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn talks to side judge Greg Meyer (78) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn is seen prior to a NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Tampa,Fla. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn directs play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a Thursday Night NFL football game Nov. 3, 2016 in Tampa, Fla. The Falcons won 43 - 28. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn wears a Doomsday Defense shirt as he talks during an NFL football training camp Friday, July 28, 2023 in Oxnard, Calif. (James D Smith via AP)
4. He knows how to stop explosive plays.
Like turnovers, allowing explosive plays has been a longstanding problem for the Commanders. No team allowed more through the air than Washington in 2023, and while that was a low point over the last four seasons, it's not as if the previous campaigns were much better.
The explosive plays should also be limited with Whitt leading the defense.
Although Whitt isn't solely responsible for the Cowboys' success, he did play a role in turning around a unit that struggled mightily in 2020. They have been a top 10 team in points allowed in each of the last three seasons, and in 2023, despite not having Diggs for most of the season, the Cowboys allowed the fifth fewest passing years in the NFL and second fewest in the NFC.
And here's the part Commanders fans will like the most: the Cowboys allowed 27 plays of 25-plus yards, the second fewest in the league.
Allowing offenses to flip the field became a common experience for the team, particularly in 2023. If Whitt can find an answer to the problem, as he's done with other teams, then it should make life easier for not just the defense, but also the offense and whoever is under center for the Commanders in September.
5. He's been Dan Quinn's right-hand man for years.
This is the third time Whitt and Commanders head coach Dan Quinn have worked together. He was on the Falcons' staff during Quinn's final season with the team and followed him to the Cowboys in 2021. Now, Whitt is with Quinn again in Washington, with his first opportunity to be a defensive coordinator no less.
There's a reason why Quinn wants to keep Whitt around; according to the head coach, Whitt has "special traits about him."
"I've just seen the detail, the connection, the play style," Quinn said.
Quinn listed off several areas that Whitt excels at over other coaches. For starters, he knows how to teach proper tackling techniques in the open field, and considering how much modern offenses like to spread out their skill players, that quality matters.
"You better be a good tackling team and you better know how to get the ball away and show good disguises to make the quarterback have to read the coverages after he has the ball in his hand," Quinn said. "And Joe's been exceptional at that through his career."
This will be Whitt's first opportunity to call plays, but Quinn is confident that he is ready for the task.
"I'm thrilled to add him into it because it also allows some of the language for me to stay connected in a good way."
