Commanders offensive coordinator search heating up as Ken Zampese, Pat Shurmur interview

Washington Commanders quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese interviewed Wednesday for the team’s vacant offensive coordinator position, adding an in-house name to the growing list of candidates in the running to replace the recently-fired Scott Turner.

Zampese was the Commanders’ second interview, coming a day after coach Ron Rivera interviewed former Giants coach Pat Shurmur.

So far, there have been several names — including Zampese and Shurmur — floated in connection with the opening. Others, such as former Lions coach Jim Caldwell, former Colts coach Frank Reich and Dolphins quarterbacks coach Darrell Bevell have reportedly declined interest in the job.

The candidates on Rivera’s shortlist have been told that Sam Howell, who won the only game he started in his just-completed rookie season, is likely the team’s starting quarterback in 2023 — meaning Washington’s next coordinator must be able to develop a young signal-caller and have a system designed to help him thrive.

Here’s a deeper look at the four candidates that the Commanders have interviewed and have requested to speak with: 

Pat Shurmur: In 2020, the Commanders were interested in Shurmur as their offensive coordinator, but an interview never materialized because there was doubt that the former Giants coach wanted to stay within the NFC East. Shurmur instead went to join Vic Fangio’s staff in Denver, where he lasted two seasons before being fired after the 2021 season.

Still, interest persists. Rivera and Shurmur know each other well, having worked together in Philadelphia for five seasons (1999 to 2003) when both were up-and-coming assistant coaches under Andy Reid. Shurmur, however, would represent a departure for Rivera as the coordinator’s background is rooted in a West Coast offense — which differs from the vertical-based passing attack and power running game that Rivera’s previous coordinators have run. 

Though he hasn’t had great success as a head coach — in two years with the Giants and two years with the Cleveland Browns, Shrumur’s teams went just 18-46 — Shurmur has a better track record as an offensive coordinator. The 57-year-old has helped develop quarterbacks such as Donovan McNabb (Philadelphia), Sam Bradford (St. Louis), Nick Foles (Philadelphia) and Case Keenum (Minnesota). 

Ken Zampese, Washington Commanders quarterbacks coach: Zampese would be the Commanders’ in-house option to replace Turner. The 55-year-old knows the Air Coryell offense inside and out as his late father, Ernie Zampese, helped develop the scheme in the 1970s. Zampese, too, was previously an offensive coordinator in 2016 and 2017 for the Cincinnati Bengals. 

Zampese’s familiarity with Howell could be a bonus if the Commanders decide to promote him. Last month, Zampese noted Howell’s strides as a rookie — telling reporters that the 22-year-old’s footwork and technique had noticeably developed throughout the season.

“He has so much pride and has worked so hard,” Zampese said of Howell. “You can see the progress that he has made.”

Charles London, Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks coach: London has never been a coordinator or play caller at the college or NFL level, though he comes from an Atlanta team that thrived on running the ball this past season. The Falcons’ run-first philosophy could mesh well with Rivera, who emphasized the importance of running the ball at his season-ending press conference last week. 

Before joining Atlanta in 2021, London served as a running backs coach for the Chicago Bears, Houston Texans, Penn State and Duke. The 48-year-old began his coaching career in 2004 as a graduate assistant for his alma mater at Duke. The Falcons ranked first in rushing attempts and third in rushing yards per game last season. 

Eric Studesville, Miami Dolphins running backs coach: Studesville is a long-time running backs coach, but he does have experience as an offensive coordinator. In 2021, the 55-year-old was named the Dolphins’ co-offensive coordinator alongside George Godsey — though that role did not stick when Mike McDaniel was hired a year later. 

But Studesville has shown an impressive knack for being retained under different coaches. In Miami, Studesville has coached under three different head coaches (Adam Gase, Brian Flores and McDaniel). He also worked with four different head coaches in Denver (Josh McDaniels, John Fox, Gary Kubiak and Vance Joseph). 

Studesville has been a coach in various offensive schemes, but most of his time can be traced back to a variation of the West Coast offense. He also has familiarity with Rivera as both were quality control coaches with the Bears in 1997 and 1998.