Rivera fired; ex-GMs to lead Washington overhaul

In a sweeping overhaul of the franchise’s football leadership that started with the dismissal of coach Ron Rivera on Monday morning, Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris has hired two prominent executives — former Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers and former Minnesota Vikings GM Rick Spielman — to assist his ownership group with searches for a new head of football operations and head coach, team officials told ESPN.

Rivera, who joined the Commanders in 2020, had final say in all football decisions and hired the team’s front office. But after capturing the NFC East in his first season with a 7-9 record, the Commanders were never able to produce a winning record.

During Rivera’s tenure, he dealt with cancer, multiple investigations into former franchise owner Daniel Snyder and the organization – both from a workplace culture and financial handlings — stemming from behavior before his arrival in 2020.

The Commanders finished the season at 4-13 and last in the NFC East, and went 26-40-1 in his four seasons at the helm.

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.

The allure of the Commanders’ job openings will be buoyed by a No. 2 overall pick in a quarterback-rich 2024 draft, and a projected salary cap space that is among the most in the NFL this offseason.

Harris will be closely involved in the search processes, but his longstanding relationship with Myers — a two-time NBA executive of the year — evolved in recent months and convinced the owner that Myers’ championship résumé and industry relationships could play a significant role in building Washington’s new leadership structure.

The Commanders’ current front office, including GM Martin Mayhew and executive VP of football/player personnel Marty Hurney, will remain on staff through the search process, officials said. The new head of football operations and head coach will determine their long-term futures with the Commanders, team officials told ESPN.

“This is a crucial offseason for us, and we won’t shy away from the work needed to get back to a place where we can deliver a winning culture top to bottom,” Harris said in a statement shared with ESPN. “… I’ve known Bob a long time and watched him construct four championship teams and a highly successful organization in Golden State. … He is innovative, thoughtful, well-connected across sports and understands what it takes to solidify and sustain championship infrastructure. I think he’s going to be incredibly additive.”

Myers stepped down as GM of the Warriors in June, with four championships in his final eight years on the job. The Warriors reached the NBA Finals six times in Myers’ 11 seasons as GM, losing only to Toronto (2019) and Cleveland (2016). Myers led the Warriors’ 2016 free agent pursuit of Kevin Durant, who was part of two titles with the Warriors before tearing an Achilles in the 2019 NBA Finals.

Myers was hired as an assistant GM in 2011 and promoted to GM in 2012, and outside of Steph Curry‘s arrival predating his own, had overseen two Curry contract extensions, drafts, trades and signings that sculpted one of the league’s modern dynasties. Myers was a prominent player agent prior to joining the Warriors’ front office in 2011.

Myers joined ESPN as an NBA studio and game analyst in August and will continue in that role.

“I have been fortunate to know Josh Harris for many years and his commitment to building championship-caliber teams is what drew me here,” Myers said in a statement. “In my experience, championship infrastructure begins with a strong ownership group that prioritizes culture and invests in attracting the industry’s most talented and innovative leaders. … This is the type of opportunity that really inspires me, and I look forward to contributing to the next chapter of this storied franchise.”

Spielman — who had been the Vikings’ GM for nine years until leaving in 2021 — has 30 years of NFL front office experience.

Harris purchased the Commanders for an NFL-record $6.05 billion in May. He replaced Snyder, whose 24-year run as the franchise’s owner was mired in scandal, dysfunction and losing seasons.