The Washington Commanders have hired Kliff Kingsbury to be their new offensive coordinator. Here are five things to know about the new play-caller.
1. He was a high school star in Texas.
Sports have been in Kingsbury's blood since his childhood. His father, Tim, was his head coach at New Braunfels High School, which is about an hour away from San Antonio, Texas, where Kingsbury was born. He played baseball and basketball, but football was where he had the most success.
Kingsbury's most notable campaign came during his senior season, when he threw for 3,009 yards with 34 touchdowns to lead New Braunfels to a 13-2 record and an appearance in the 5A Division state semifinals. Later, Kingsbury was named the offensive MVP in the Texas High School Coaches All-Star game. His football acumen, plus being third academically in his graduating class, earned him a scholarship to Texas Tech.
And just to further emphasize how impressive his career was, Kingsbury was inducted in the Texas High School Hall of Fame in 2018, putting him alongside Danny Amendola, Sammy Baugh, Earl Campbell and Joe Greene.
2. He received the Sammy Baugh Trophy after a stellar college career.
Although Kingsbury was a talented athlete, he had to wait his turn at Texas Tech. He started in the season finale against Oklahoma and appeared in six games overall, completing 25 of 57 passes for 492 yards with four touchdowns to just one interception. He was the starter from that point on, and the Red Raiders managed to put together some successful seasons with him under center.
Texas Tech finished the 2000 season with a 7-6 record, going 5-3 in conference play. They started out 4-0, and wins over Baylor, Kansas and Oklahoma State earned them an appearance in Galleryfurniture.com Bowl against East Carolina. Kingsbury completed 62% of his passes for 3,418 yards with 21 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.
Kingsbury was better the following season with a 69% completion rate and 25 touchdowns. However, the Red Raiders, now led by Mike Leach, finished with a similar record. The bright spot of the year was a three-game winning streak in late October and early November, which included a win over No. 24 Texas A&M. The team earned a spot in the Alamo Bowl against Iowa but was defeated 19-16.
Kingsbury was at his best in 2002. With Leach coming back as his head coach, He threw for 5,017 yards, completing 67.3% of his passes, and tossing 45 touchdowns. He led the Red Raiders to another bowl appearance -- this time a 55-15 win over Clemson in the Tangerine Bowl -- and wrapped up his college career as the third player in college football history to have more than 10,000 passing yards, gain more than 10,000 total yards of offense and complete more than 1,000 passes.
In addition to getting his third All-Big 12 honor and being named the National Offensive Player of the Year by The Associated Press, Kingsbury also received the Sammy Baugh Trophy, which is awarded to the best passer in college football. He was the first player from Texas Tech to receive the award and fifth overall, the most recent being Patrick Mahomes in 2016.
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)
3. He had a brief stint in the pros.
Kingsbury is known more for his resume as a coach, but there was a brief period where he tried his hand at a career in the pros.
Not long after a successful college career that saw him set 39 school records at Texas Tech, Kingsbury was drafted in the sixth-round by the New England Patriots in 2003. He bounced around the league and spent time with the New Orleans Saints, Denver Broncos, New York Jets and Buffalo Bills. He played in one game during his time in the NFL -- a Week 11 matchup with the Broncos -- and completed one pass for 17 yards.
Kingsbury also spent time playing in NFL Europe in 2006, when the Jets reassigned him to the Cologne Centurions. He went on to have a successful stint in Germany, passing for 633 yards and two touchdowns. He had a quarterback rating of 73.7 and led the team with a 56.9% completion rate.
Kingsbury wrapped up his playing career by moving to the CFL and played for two teams. He first signed with the Montreal Alouettes before being traded to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, where he was the third-string quarterback on the roster.
4. He has a history of developing quarterbacks.
For all that Kingsbury is known for, the most impressive mark on his reputation is his ability to develop and build relationships with quarterbacks.
After impressing Kevin Sumlin as a play-caller at the University of Houston, Kingsbury was named the offensive coordinator at Texas A&M, where he spent much of his time with Johnny Manziel. Aside from leading the SEC in just about every offensive category, Kingsbury helped turn Manziel into one of the best quarterbacks in the conference. He broke Archie Manning's record for the most offensive yards gained in a single game, recording 557 yards against Arkansas. He later became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy, and he wrapped up his college career with 93 total touchdowns and 9,989 total yards of offense.
Kingsbury earned his first job as a head coach for Texas Tech in 2012, and it was there that he started working with eventual first-round pick and NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes. Although he was only the Red Raiders' starting quarterback for two seasons, Mahomes is one of the best players in program history, ranking third in passing yards, touchdown passes, attempts and completions. He also had 22 rushing touchdowns, which ranks second in team history, and he was responsible for 115 scores.
When Kingsbury was named the Arizona Cardinals' head coach in 2019, the team used their first-round pick on Kyler Murray. Murray threw for a career-high 3,971 passing yards and 26 touchdowns and earned Pro Bowl honors. In his first year under Kingsbury's guidance in 2019, Murray earned Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
The Commanders hold the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. If the team does decide to take a quarterback -- many believe they will -- then there is confidence that Kingsbury will be an asset in helping their development.
5. He left a lasting impression on Dan Quinn.
Dan Quinn was already working on preparing for potentially getting a second shot at being a head coach back in 2011, when he was the defensive coordinator and defensive line coach at Florida. Part of that involved keeping a mental list of names for a staff if he got another chance.
Kingsbury was one of the names he kept in the back of his mind.
"Obviously, I know people talk about his acumen with quarterbacks and that's proven, but he's also an excellent coach," Quinn said.
Quinn saw several similarities between Kingsbury and 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, who he previously hired as his offensive coordinator with the Atlanta Falcons. He stretched the field, both vertically and horizontally, and knew how to create matchups that presented advantages for his skill players. He also wasn't afraid to take shots down the field and be aggressive when the situation called for it.
That attitude matched the identity Quinn wanted to establish with his new team.
"I would say if I had to say two [words] right now, it'd be 'explosive' and 'physical,'" Quinn said. "The explosive comes offensively and on the return game from big plays, through the run game, through play action, through the passing game, ones that can change fields position. And those are the explosive plays that you have to keep going and being aggressive to go."
