The Washington Commanders announced today they have named Tom Donatell as the team's defensive backs coach.
Donatell joins the Commanders after most recently serving as the defensive pass game coordinator/secondary coach for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023. Â
From 2021-22, Donatell was an assistant secondary coach with the Chargers. In 2022, Donatell worked closely with safety Derwin James Jr. who earned Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro Associated Press honors and was the only defensive back to record at least 110 tackles, four sacks, an interception and a forced fumble. Â
In addition to James Jr., Donatell worked with cornerbacks Asante Samuel Jr. and Michael Davis. Davis set a career hit in passes defensed (15) including a league-best 14 over the final 10 games of the season. Samuel Jr. recorded three passes in the teams postseason game which is tied for the second-most in a single postseason game in NFL history. Â
In 2021, James Jr. became the first defensive back in the last 20 years to have 100 tackles after missing the previous year due to an injury. Â
Prior to working in Los Angeles, Donatell was a defensive quality control coach for the Seattle Seahawks for four seasons (2017-20). Â
Before coaching in the NFL, Donatell served as a graduate assistant at UCLA (2015-16) and the University of South Florida (2013-14).
Donatell played linebacker and safety at the University of Iowa from 2008-12. Â
Donatell and his wife, Rebecca, have three sons Drake, Jack and Bennett.
