Commanders hire John Madden's grandson as offensive assistant

Field Level Media|published: Tue 18th February, 14:17 2025

NCAA Football: Fiesta Bowl-Texas Christian at Michigan

Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Jesse Madden (42) against the TCU Horned Frogs during the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Jesse Madden was named offensive quality control coach of the Washington Commanders, following in the footsteps of his Hall of Fame grandfather, John Madden.

Jesse Madden was a backup safety on the Michigan roster for the 2024 national championship and undefeated season. He moved from quarterback after his freshman season to pursue more playing time. He was recognized as a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar.

John Madden, who coached the Oakland Raiders and rose to generational prominence as a high-energy football broadcaster and guiding force behind the Madden Football video game, died in 2021 while Jesse was on the Wolverines' roster.

"His grandson Jesse has been a major contributor to our team and we know his grandfather would be proud," then-Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said at the time.

Jesse Madden joins the staff of Dan Quinn in Washington and will report to offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, previously head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.

Jesse Madden's career path would not be far from prominent NFL coaches of his era.

New Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson broke into the league as a quality control coach with the Detroit Lions in 2019. Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni got his NFL break with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009 as quality control coach reporting to head coach Todd Haley. San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was a quality control coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004. Part of his job was to use the design program SuperPaint to draw plays designed by head coach Jon Gruden.

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay was a quality control coach for the Florida Tuskers of the UFL where he worked for Jay Gruden. Shanahan and McVay both were assistant coaches in Washington before they moved into marquee NFL coaching roles.

McVay's grandfather was John McVay, who was head coach of the New York Giants during John Madden's tenure in Oakland and later a prominent figure in the Bay Area as general manager of the 49ers.

--Field Level Media

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