Within the months since he finalized his $6.05 billion buy of the Commanders, Harris has began to gather these edges. He employed a stadium adviser (Thad Sheely), a senior vp of soccer technique (Eugene Shen), a participant wellness marketing consultant (Tim McGrath) and, most just lately, a small contingent of specialists (Bob Myers and Rick Spielman) to assist along with his greatest choices but: discovering the crew’s subsequent high soccer government and coach.
Forming that search committee, which additionally contains part-owners Mitchell Rales, Magic Johnson and David Blitzer, was one of many first steps in what Harris referred to as a “thorough however speedy course of” to remake the crew’s teaching workers and entrance workplace. Harris hopes to get the highest government in place shortly in order that particular person may help discover the pinnacle coach and construct out the remainder of the workers.
The true timeline, nonetheless, will rely upon myriad elements, together with potential competitors for candidates and the postseason.
“What we’re finally attempting to do is find yourself with the most effective individuals, and the most effective individuals typically have options,” Harris mentioned.
On Monday morning, after the crew fired coach Ron Rivera, it introduced the hires of Myers, a former NBA government, and Spielman, the previous normal supervisor of the Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins. Although many NFL groups flip to consultants, enlisting one from one other sport is completely different.
“Generally people who find themselves actually sensible don’t need to hear from different individuals,” Commanders restricted associate Mark Ein mentioned final summer season. “[Harris] likes to get the most effective … whether or not it’s the legislation agency or evaluating the stadium or counting on his different sports activities executives for opinions. It’s bringing collectively the most effective individuals, asking their opinion and taking it. He likes to have and think about these views.”
Spielman and Myers are central to not simply the crew’s offseason strikes but additionally to Harris’s broader philosophy of discovering extra edges. Myers spent 12 years as an government with the Golden State Warriors, serving to the franchise to 4 NBA championships whereas twice incomes government of the 12 months honors. He additionally labored for 14 years as an agent, studying beneath after which working alongside the famed Arn Tellem. His final 5 years as an agent have been with Wasserman — the identical company that represents Adam Peters, the San Francisco 49ers’ assistant normal supervisor who’s the Commanders’ high government candidate.
“He is aware of tips on how to establish expertise,” Harris mentioned of Myers. “He is aware of tips on how to construct successful franchises, successful cultures. I imply, he’s clearly not a soccer particular person. He’s not been round soccer, however he’s an incredible sports activities government. … He is aware of everybody in sports activities; he is aware of plenty of brokers. … He is aware of tips on how to have interaction with expertise.”
A candidate interviewing for a major government function can settle for a brand new job at any level through the playoffs, if his or her present crew grants permission. Teaching candidates can not interview in particular person till a minimum of after the divisional spherical. Up to now, 4 groups — the Carolina Panthers, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers and Commanders — have vacancies for his or her major government job. Seven groups — the Panthers, Raiders, Chargers, Commanders, Atlanta Falcons, Tennessee Titans and Seattle Seahawks — want a brand new coach.
The Commanders’ seek for a high government has centered totally on 5 candidates: Peters, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs assistant GM Mike Borgonzi, Cleveland Browns assistant GM and vp of participant personnel Glenn Cook dinner, Philadelphia Eagles assistant GM Alec Halaby and Chicago Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham, in accordance with a number of individuals with data of the method. Borgonzi, Cook dinner and Peters underwent a primary spherical of interviews Tuesday, and Halaby and Cunningham have been scheduled to satisfy with the Commanders on Wednesday.
These preliminary interviews have been held at Harris’s dwelling workplaces in Miami and adopted a definite format, in accordance with individuals with data of the method. Every candidate talked to Spielman individually, then met with Myers and Harris. It’s doable the candidates may also interview with Rales, Johnson and Blitzer in some capability, be it in particular person or just about.
Two individuals mentioned the interviews gave the impression to be designed to eradicate “fluff,” that means any scripted materials through which candidates seem as in the event that they’re merely going by the motions of the interview.
The imaginative and prescient for Washington’s entrance workplace differs from current years. The highest government will most likely be titled president of soccer operations or one thing comparable; GM Martin Mayhew continues to be beneath contract and, together with government vp of soccer/participant personnel Marty Hurney, is anticipated to stick with the crew by a minimum of the search course of. Mayhew’s and Hurney’s futures will most likely rely upon the first government’s plan for the entrance workplace.
“What that particular person needs to do or not do is absolutely necessary in our resolution course of,” Harris mentioned of the incoming government. “Doesn’t imply that [owners] will not be concerned in it, but it surely signifies that to a big extent, you’re counting on that particular person to convey a sequence of candidates to the desk, and so that may be my superb state of affairs.”
Rivera was the pinnacle coach and high government, retaining remaining say over personnel and operations throughout his 4 years with Washington. Harris mentioned he envisions a extra siloed construction for the subsequent entrance workplace, with the highest government overseeing operations and personnel and the coach managing all features on the sphere.
“There are actually people that management all the things,” he mentioned. “I feel it’s more and more onerous, so my orientation will not be to try this. However then again, I’m going to actually be considerably versatile round expertise.”
As Harris has mentioned typically, it begins with discovering the “finest” expertise — and discovering these additional edges.
