During a very busy morning in the NFL, the Washington Commanders made a splashy hire to bring in former Warriors executive Bob Myers.
The longtime Golden State president of basketball operations and general manager was a four-time NBA champion and two-time NBA executive of the year while with the franchise.
Myers was hired by Josh Harris, who led an investment group to purchase the Commanders in 2023. Harris is also the managing partner of the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA and the New Jersey Devils in the NHL.
After parting ways with two-time AP NFL Coach of the Year recipient Ron Rivera on Monday morning, Harris and the Commanders are in the midst of a coaching search.
Sources: The #Commanders are hiring one of the best in sports, luring 2-time NBA Executive of the Year Bob Myers to the NFL to help run their franchise. Bombshell.
A 4-time NBA champ, Myers built the #Warriors dynasty before stepping down to work in TV. Now he lands in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/UiuWr52Ni4
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 8, 2024
As part of his new duties with the Commanders, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Adam Schefter, Myers will “assist his ownership group” with searches for a new head of football operations and head coach.
“Myers, the architect of four championships with the Warriors and a current ESPN NBA analyst, and Spielman, a 30-year NFL front-office executive, will work with Harris and his limited partners Mitch Rates, Magic Johnson and David Blitzer as part of an advisory committee designed to reshape the Commanders’ front office and coaching staff, team officials told ESPN.
In a search that will commence immediately, Myers will take a lead role in identifying and coordinating interviews with candidates for the top football operations and head-coaching jobs, with Spielman set to work closely with him, officials said.”
Myers will reportedly continue his role as an NBA analyst for ESPN.
While he is potentially not a full-time hire, fans had mixed reactions (some positive and some confused) about Washington bringing him in to help usher in this new chapter of the franchise.
Okay, now that I've gotten my car out of the ditch after hearing the Bob Myers/Commanders news…
•This is not just to help hire the next president of football ops. Myers & Josh Harris have known one another, through Joe Lacob, for some time now, and have a strong relationship.— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) January 8, 2024
Josh Harris hiring former Warriors GM Bob Myers to an executive role.
First outgrowth of leveraging his ownership/experience in other sports, bringing in a proven talent from the NBA.
Don't need a "football guy" for team-building and culture change.— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) January 8, 2024
Josh Harris was never going to just do an orthodox, old-school hiring process in D.C. The news of Bob Myers playing a role in the search is not surprising. I'd imagine several other big ideas and outside-the-NFL voices being consulted, as well.
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) January 8, 2024
Bob Myers would’ve been a much more useful hire for Josh Harris’ other franchise. https://t.co/SMYwvdiW7V
— O.J. Spivey (@OJPhilly) January 8, 2024
A lot is being made of Bob Myers crossing over sports. He's not not calling plays. He's ADVISING on the search.
He's going to help them assemble an organizational structure and find the right football people to run this thing. He'll sit in on meetings with GM, HC candidates.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) January 8, 2024
Bob Myers is coming to DC, just not in the capacity anyone expected.
Definitely did a double take reading this. https://t.co/45KIBop70k
— Will Clayton (@WillCIayton) January 8, 2024
Bob Myers was supposed to save us, not the Commanders
— DJ (@kingdj_5297) January 8, 2024
Magic Johnson. Bob Myers. Washington is collecting a lot championship pedigree. Let's hope it transfers from the NBA to the NFL.
— RefTheDistrict (@RefTheDistrict) January 8, 2024
Josh Harris needed to calm down the craziness around the Commanders, and get their respect back with the fanbase. Bob Myers is one of the most respected people in sports. It's a big first step.
— Ken Carman (@KenCarman) January 8, 2024
