Commanders hire former Warriors GM

The new Washington Commanders ownership group, led by investor and Philadelphia 76ers owner Josh Harris, took over from Dan Snyder before this season. After a lackluster 4-13 season, Harris fired head coach Ron Rivera Monday and announced a search for a new head coach and head of football operations.

That's where Myers comes in. Along with Rick Spielman, the former Minnesota Vikings general manager, Myers will lead an advisory committee that plans to "reshape the Commanders' front office and coaching staff."

The organization needs a reshaping. The Dan Snyder era was rife with problems off the field, including sexual harassment, financial improprieties and even hiring private investigators to dig up dirt on other owners and commissioner Roger Goodell. On the field, they've made the playoffs just once in the last eight seasons - and that was with a 7-9 record, in 2020. Washington hasn't had a winning record since 2016, when they were 8-7-1.

Not only has the club failed to bring in winning coaches, they've famously let coaching talent go to other teams. Their 2013 coaching staff included future head coaches Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan and Matt LaFleur, all of whom went on to wild success with other teams.

Myers built a four-time champion in Golden State, despite having made the playoffs only once in the 17 years before his arrival. Basketball is a totally different sport, but Harris and the ownership group, which includes Magic Johnson, clearly believe that Myers' experience in leadership and culture-building is more important than specific football knowledge.

For Commanders fans, it has to be encouraging that the new owners are willing to spend serious money on consultants. That's a marked difference from the notoriously cheap Snyder era when a survey of NFL players called Washington's facilities the worst in the league. He even sued his own season ticket holders.

Even though the most important thing Bob Myers did as Warriors GM was simple - don't trade Stephen Curry - he knows what he's doing when it comes to creating a winning culture. That's been long overdue in D.C.