Commanders assistant reportedly to interview for a head coaching job

While one Washington Commanders' coach may lose his job, another may be interviewed for a head coaching job.

It's a shame it didn't work out well in Washington for defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. In both the 2024 and 2025 seasons, his defense struggled most of the time. In 2025, things continued to decline as his defense gave up one explosive play after another. Finally, after weeks of consternation and dismay, head coach Dan Quinn stepped in and took over the defensive coordinator’s role for the remainder of the season. Whitt will remain on staff for the remainder of 2025, but one can easily imagine Whitt moving on to another job in 2026.

Meanwhile, on the offensive side of the ball, Commanders receivers coach Bobby Engram is reported to have been given the opportunity to interview for the Penn State head coaching job. Some will recall that Engram was a receiver at Penn State. He was not merely a receiver at Penn State, but the leading all-time receiver at Penn State.

Engram was a baller at Penn State. So much so that he was selected with the No. 52 overall draft pick in the 1996 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears. Being good enough to be on NFL rosters for 14 seasons, Engram caught 650 receptions for 7,751 receiving yards, 35 receiving touchdowns and 424 first downs.

What type of coaching experience has Engram gained since his playing days at Penn State and 14 years playing in the NFL? An offensive assistant for the San Francisco 49ers (2011), he relocated to serve as receivers coach for the Pitt Panthers (2012-13) and the Baltimore Ravens (2014-18). He then gained experience as a tight ends coach with the Ravens (2019-21) and served as the Wisconsin Badgers' offensive coordinator for one season (2022). He has been the Commanders' receivers coach for the last two seasons.

Consequently, we hope Engram can land a head coaching job someday, if that is what he really desires. Yet, is there any way Penn State is hiring Engram as head coach when he has only one season of experience as a coordinator? Do they simply want to interview him because he played at Penn State? We don’t know the motives of those at Penn State, but we do know we wish Engram the best in his coaching career, wherever he coaches next season.

If he doesn't land this job, Engram should be back with the Commanders next season. Washington's receivers have praised Engram during his time with the team, including Terry McLaurin.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Bobby Engram to interview at Penn State?