Washington Redskins head coach Ron Rivera is shaping up his coaching staff. According to The Athletic’s Joe Person, Rivera is hiring former Carolina Panthers offensive line coach John Matsko and wide receiver coach Jim Hostler to his staff for the same respective roles.
Matsko, 68, is the more impressive of the hires. He has extensive background as an offensive line coach, dating back to 1977 at the University of Miami (OH). He was an offensive line coach at North Carolina, Navy, Arizona, and USC before heading to the NFL.
Matsko joined the Phoenix Cardinals in 1992. He also was on the staff with the then-St. Louis Rams for seven seasons, including two Super Bowl appearances and Super Bowl XXXIV win.
He most recently spent 10 seasons with the Panthers, nine under Rivera.
Bill Callahan was the Redskins offensive line coach since 2014 before he was promoted to interim head coach following the firing of Jay Gruden in Week 5 of this season. However it was already known he will not return with the Redskins.
Hostler, 53, has bounced around the NFL. He joined the Panthers’ staff this season, helping develop young wide receivers DJ Moore and Curtis Samuel.
He also spent time with the Chiefs, Saints, Jets, 49ers, Bills, Ravens, Colts and Packers.
Redskins fans were yearning for the return of incumbent wide receivers coach Ike Hillard much like hoped for Callahan to return. Hillard did a good job this season with development of young wide receivers Terry McLaurin, Steven Sims Jr. and Kelvin Harmon. However, Rivera is moving in a different direction.
Person also reported longtime defensive assistant Sam Mills III will interview for the defensive line coach position with the Redskins.
The Redskins are also adding longtime Panthers trainer Ryan Vermillion as their new head trainer.
Washington fired their longtime head trainer Larry Hess on Monday. He had a fractured relationship with left tackle Trent Williams after a misdiagnosis of a growth on Williams’ head. That led to Williams holding out of training camp and not playing a game this season.
Williams vowed not to play for the Redskins again in large due to his relationship with Hess and then-team president Bruce Allen. Allen was also fired Monday.
