Former New York Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell has been hired by the Washington Redskins to serve as their secondary coach, the team announced Tuesday.
Fewell will replace Raheem Morris, who coached the Redskins’ defensive backs for the past three seasons and has reached an agreement to be the co-defensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons.
The 52-year-old Fewell has been a defensive coordinator for the past nine seasons and has not been a position coach since 2005, when he coached the defensive backs for the Chicago Bears. Fewell left after that season to become the Buffalo Bills’ defensive coordinator, then was named the Giants’ defensive coordinator prior to the 2010 season.
According to the Newark Star-Ledger, which first reported Fewell’s hiring on Tuesday, Fewell was reportedly also in discussions with the San Francisco 49ers about taking a role on new coach Jim Tomsula’s staff before deciding to join the Redskins.
Washington is in the process of reshaping its defensive coaching staff after finishing 20th in yards allowed and tied for 29th in points allowed. The Redskins parted ways with defensive coordinator Jim Haslett on Dec. 31 after five seasons, then decided not to bring back outside linebackers coach Brian Baker and defensive line coach Jacob Burney last week.
By hiring Fewell, the Redskins have made their first addition to the defensive staff under new coordinator Joe Barry, who was hired a week ago. Barry, who had spent the previous four seasons as the San Diego Chargers’ linebackers coach, said he would offer his recommendations on defensive position coaches but that the decision would ultimately be up to coach Jay Gruden.
Fewell was one of several candidates to interview last January for Gruden’s job.
The Redskins also announced they have hired Mike Clark as their strength and conditioning coach. Clark, who has worked in the NFL for the last 11 seasons and spent the last two with the Chicago Bears, will replace Ray Wright.
• Zac Boyer can be reached at zboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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