Ron Rivera fired. Former directors-general will advise leaders on reform

Washington ended the era of its coach, who spent four years leading the franchise without winning seasons.

In an overhaul of the franchise's football leadership that began with the firing of coach Ron Rivera on Monday morning, Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris has hired two high-profile executives: former Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers and former Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman. . — to assist their ownership group in its search for a new president of football operations and head coach, team officials told ESPN.

Myers, the architect of four championships with the Warriors and current ESPN NBA analyst, and Spielman, an NFL front office executive for 30 years, will serve with Harris and limited partners Mitch Ritts, Magic Johnson and David Blitzer as part of an advisory committee. Team officials told ESPN it is designed to reshape the front office of leaders and coaching staff.

In the search process that begins immediately, Myers will take a leadership role in identifying and coordinating interviews with candidates for senior football and head coaching positions, and Spielman will work closely with him, officials said.

The appeal of the job opening for the Leaders will be enhanced by the No. 2 overall pick in the quarterback-rich 2024 draft and projected cap space that is among the largest in the NFL this offseason.

Harris will be closely involved in the search, but his long-standing relationship with Myers, a two-time NBA Executive of the Year winner, has developed in recent months and convinced the owner that Myers' championship resume and his ties to the industry could play an important role. An important role in building the new leadership structure in Washington.

Current front office leaders, including general manager Martin Mayhew and executive vice president of football/player affairs Marty Hurney, will remain on staff during the search process, officials said. A new president of football operations and a new coach will determine his long-term future with the Commanders, team officials told ESPN.

“This is a critical offseason for us and we will not shy away from the work necessary to get back to a place where we can deliver a winning culture from top to bottom,” Harris said in a statement shared with ESPN. “…I've known Bob for a long time and watched him build four championship teams and a very successful organization in Golden State…He's innovative, thoughtful, well-connected across all sports and understands what it takes to strengthen and maintain a championship infrastructure. I think it will be a huge plus.” unbelievable.

Myers resigned as Warriors general manager in June, winning four championships in his final eight years on the job. The Warriors reached the NBA Finals six times in Myers' 11 seasons as general manager, losing only to the Toronto Raptors (2019) and Cleveland Cavaliers (2016). Myers led the Warriors in the free agent pursuit of Kevin Durant in 2016, who was part of two titles with the Warriors before rupturing his Achilles tendon in the 2019 NBA Finals.

Myers was hired as assistant general manager in 2011 and promoted to general manager in 2012, and aside from the arrival of Steph Curry before him, he has overseen Curry's contract extensions, drafts, trades and signings that have shaped one of the league's modern dynasties. Myers was a prominent agent before joining the Warriors' front office in 2011.

Myers joined ESPN as a studio and NBA game analyst in August and will continue in that role.

“I have been fortunate to know Josh Harris for many years, and his commitment to building championship-caliber teams is what attracted me here,” Myers said in a statement. “In my experience, championship infrastructure starts with a strong ownership group that prioritizes culture and invests in attracting the most talented and innovative leaders in the industry… These are the type of opportunities that truly inspire me, and I hope to contribute to the next chapter of this historic franchise.”

Spielman, who was the Vikings' general manager for nine years until his departure in 2021, has 30 years of front office experience in the NFL.

Harris bought the Commanders for an NFL-record $6.05 billion in May. He replaced Daniel Snyder, whose 24-year career as franchise owner was mired in scandal, dysfunction and defeat.