The Washington Redskins hired ex-Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris to be the new defensive backfield coach, according to The Washington Post and other media outlets.
Why hire the head coach of a 4-12 team with the 21st-ranked passing defense? Perhaps the prior relationship with ‘Skins GM Bruce Allen many have something to do with it. Allen was Tampa Bay’s GM before signing with the Redskins. Morris also worked with Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan when both were on Gruden’s Buccaneers coaching staff.
Morris was Tampa Bay’s defensive backfield coach for four seasons. He replaced Monte Kiffen as defensive coordinator in 2008 than Tampa Bay promoted him to head coach in 2009 replacing Jon Gruden. He has a 17-31-0 record as head coach.
The Redskins released safeties coach Stephen Jackson and wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell in related moves.
Jackson was controversial in his early tenure with Washington. Gregg Williams brought Jackson to the defensive coaching staff when he converted the secondary to the Tampa-2 set. Newly signed, and at the time highest paid, safety Adam Archuleta fared poorly in that scheme. Star safety Sean Taylor regressed in his development under Jackson. There are whispers that the two did not get along. But Jackson survived the turmoil from the Joe Gibbs coaching staff until Mike Shanahan’s.
McCardell joined the coaching staff two seasons ago after a distinguished 16-year NFL career.
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