Josh Harris, the governor of the Philadelphia 76ers, faced a situation related to his basketball background when overseeing the Washington Commanders.
Reports from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero indicated that Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson opted to remain with the Lions rather than pursue a head-coaching opportunity with the Commanders or the Seattle Seahawks.
ESPN’s Jenna Laine delved into the Washington decision, revealing that Johnson was deterred by the team’s ownership, whom he perceived as “basketball guys” overly confident in their football opinions.
Notably, NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson and former Golden State Warriors executive Bob Myers, known for his role in building a modern NBA dynasty, are part of the Commanders’ ownership group.
Responding to speculation about Johnson’s interview performance, ESPN’s Jason Reid refuted claims and referenced a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, emphasizing that the decision was not due to poor interviews. Ultimately, the Commanders appointed Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn as their new head coach.
Quinn brings experience and success, having led the Cowboys’ defense to a top-five ranking in yards and points while winning the NFC East.
Despite initial indications pointing towards Johnson, the Lions’ offensive coordinator, renowned for guiding the team to the NFC Championship Game, will continue to work alongside head coach Dan Campbell, who lacks a basketball background.
