Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera does a good job developing young coaches. While some will ridicule Rivera for bringing his former Carolina staff to Washington in 2020, the head coach always looks for talented and hungry coaches to develop.
One of those coaches, Drew Terrell, is expected to leave Washington for a role with the Arizona Cardinals. Terrell began his NFL coaching career in 2018 as a quality control coach for Rivera’s Panthers. In 2020, when Rivera came to Washington, he brought Terrell with him as an assistant wide receivers coach.
In 2021, Rivera promoted Terrell to wide receivers coach, and after two years, he had the opportunity to interview for an offensive coordinator position.
Now, Rivera could be promoting another young coach or, at least, expanding his responsibilities.
Assistant offensive line coach Travelle Wharton played 10 seasons in the NFL, including two under Rivera in Carolina. Like Terrell, Wharton joined Carolina’s 2018 staff as an offensive quality control assistant. He also followed Rivera to Washington, where he has spent the past three seasons as an assistant offensive line coach under the venerable John Matsko.
In all five of Wharton’s years as a coach, he’s learned under Matsko. However, at 72, the respected longtime coach may be looking ahead to retirement. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported last week that Wharton could be in line for increased responsibilities in 2023.
Bieniemy is likely to bring a couple of coaches with him to Washington, and there could be added responsibilities for assistant line coach Travelle Wharton with the Commanders as well. Wharton, who played 10 years in the league, has been an assistant line coach for Rivera for five years now (two in Carolina, three in Washington).
Even before Washington hired Eric Bieniemy, the Commanders had plans for Wharton. He was one of four coaches Washington sent to Mobile, Alabama, to coach in the Reese’s Senior Bowl.
With Washington expected to focus heavily on adding to the offensive line in free agency and the 2023 NFL draft, it looks like Wharton could play a heavy role. It’s important to note that Wharton got up-close look at some talented offensive linemen at the Senior Bowl.
