Daronte Jones’ journey from COMMANDERS FAN to DC
Defensive coordinator who grew up a fan of the franchise discusses what career advancement looks like for Black coaches
Andscape senior NFL writer speaks to coordinators leaguewide about what meaningful advancement looks like for Black coaches at the highest level of football
For Daronte Jones, the Washington Commanders‘ job is both professional and personal.
A fan of the franchise while growing up in nearby Capitol Heights, Maryland, Jones now leads the defense as the team’s defensive coordinator. In this Coaches Conversations feature, Andscape senior NFL writer Jason Reid explores Jones’ path through football, the influence of mentors such as Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, and the broader question facing Black NFL coordinators: What does real career advancement look like in today’s league?