Commanders hire John Madden’s grandson Jesse as offensive quality control coach

The Washington Commanders didn’t just add a new coach on February 18, 2025—they welcomed a living piece of football history. Jesse Madden, 23, the grandson of the late John Madden, was named offensive quality control coach, marking his first role in the NFL. The announcement, made via the team’s verified Twitter account at 10:00 AM EST, also confirmed the hiring of Brian Schneider, 55, as assistant special teams coach. For fans who grew up watching John Madden’s animated diagrams and booming voice on TV, this felt less like a personnel move and more like a passing of the torch—quietly, deliberately, and with deep roots.

A Legacy in Motion

Jesse Madden didn’t grow up dreaming of the NFL in abstract terms. He grew up inside it. His grandfather, John Madden, coached the Oakland Raiders to a Super Bowl XI win at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on January 9, 1977. That same stadium saw Michigan crush Alabama in the 2024 College Football Playoff semifinal—a game Jesse watched from the sideline as a player, not a fan. He once told the Los Angeles Times in January 2024, just days before Michigan faced Washington in the national title game: “For me, it’s not crazy because it’s all I’ve known my whole life.”

That familiarity wasn’t accidental. During the height of the pandemic in spring 2020, when high school football was canceled, Jesse spent his days studying film and memorizing plays. He learned 1,600 offensive and defensive schemes—on his own, without a coach, without practice fields. John Madden, watching from Ojai, California, called it “amazing.” He even got to see his grandson play in one college game: Michigan’s 32-29 win over Northern Illinois on September 4, 2021. Three months later, he was gone.

Michigan’s Quiet Influence in Ashburn

The Commanders’ connection to the University of Michigan runs deeper than just one draft pick. Jesse Madden will now work alongside Mike Sainristil, the Wolverines’ former defensive back who became one of the NFL’s most surprising rookies in 2024. Sainristil, taken 32nd overall, recorded 68 tackles, 14 passes defended, and three interceptions. Now, two Michigan alumni—one as a player, one as a coach—are on the same staff, under head coach Dan Quinn.

It’s no coincidence. General manager Adam Peters and team president Jason Wright have quietly built a pipeline from Ann Arbor to Ashburn. Sainristil’s success validated the approach. Jesse’s hiring reinforces it—not as a favor to a famous name, but as a recognition of proven work ethic and football IQ.

The Role: More Than Just a Title

As offensive quality control coach, Jesse won’t be calling plays or coaching receivers. His job is the invisible glue: breaking down film, compiling scouting reports on defensive schemes, flagging tendencies, and helping position coaches implement the playbook. It’s grunt work—but it’s the kind that wins games. Teams that excel in this area, like the San Francisco 49ers or Kansas City Chiefs, rarely talk about it. But they win because of it.

Jesse’s background as a dual-position player—quarterback turned defensive back—gives him rare perspective. He’s seen the game from both sides of the ball. That’s invaluable when analyzing opponent tendencies. And with Brian Schneider joining as assistant special teams coach, the Commanders now have a veteran who’s coordinated special teams for 15 seasons, including stints with the Seattle Seahawks and 49ers. Schneider worked directly with Quinn in Seattle, making him a perfect cultural fit.

The Bigger Picture

This isn’t just about legacy. It’s about continuity. The Commanders, rebranded from the Washington Football Team in 2023, are trying to shed years of instability. Their new headquarters at the Inova Sports Performance Center in Ashburn, Virginia, is state-of-the-art. Their home, Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, is being reimagined. And now, they’re building a coaching staff that values discipline, preparation, and deep football knowledge.

John Madden once said, “Football is about doing the little things right.” Jesse Madden spent his pandemic lockdown doing exactly that—1,600 plays, no one watching. Now, he’s being paid to do it for a team that’s betting he’ll help them win.

What’s Next?

Jesse’s first official duties begin at the Commanders’ Organized Team Activities in late April 2025. He’ll likely spend his first weeks studying the 2024 film of every NFC East defense, identifying coverages, blitz packages, and alignment quirks. His grandfather’s playbook may be outdated, but his philosophy? Still alive. “Play hard. Play smart. Play together.” That was John’s mantra. And if Jesse’s first year is anything like his last four at Michigan, it’s a mantra he’ll live by.