DC Sports

Per American University: Nationally recognized assistant coach and legendary DMV basketball star Duane Simpkins has been hired to usher in a new era of American University men’s basketball, announced Director of Athletics and Recreation Dr. Billy Walker. Simpkins is the 18th head coach in the history of the program.

Simpkins comes to American after eight seasons on the staff at George Mason, working alongside two head coaches during his tenure. During his time in Fairfax, Simpkins helped guide the Patriots to a series of new program bests within the Atlantic 10. Mason set or matched A-10 program bests in league wins and tournament seeds in four seasons during his tenure. The Patriots matched a program best with 11 Atlantic 10 victories in 2022-23, and finished at 20-13 overall.

DJ Swearinger has signed with the DC Defenders of the XFL, who are currently in possession of a 61 record, the best in the league. Swearinger was a second round draft pick, drafted 57th overall by the Houston Texans, in the 2013 NFL Draft. His NFL career spanned nearly a decade, with stops in Tampa Bay, Arizona, Washington, Oakland, New Orleans, and Indianapolis, earning nearly $19 million overall during that time.

Recently, Swearinger hinted at returning to football when he tweeted, “My son say he want me to play football again. I told em I wan play too. Xfl hit me up saying they need me. If it ain the nfl I can’t really rock. Respectfully. That’s hustling backwards & a step down on my legacy I feel but maybe that’s ego talking or maybe that’s just facts???” to an overwhelming positive and supportive response, urging him to return to football.

Georgetown University announced today that Patrick Ewing will no longer serve as Head Men’s Basketball Coach and that it has begun a national search for new leadership of the program. Ewing was at Georgetown for six years with a 75-109,l record (.408 W-L%). In the last two seasons, Georgetown was 6-25 and 7-25.

Georgetown President John J. DeGioia said, “Patrick Ewing is the heart of Georgetown basketball. I am deeply grateful to Coach Ewing for his vision, his determination, and for all that he has enabled Georgetown to achieve. Over these past six years, he was tireless in his dedication to his team and the young men he coached and we will forever be grateful to Patrick for his courage and his leadership in our Georgetown community.”

The Washington Commanders announced today that they have placed the franchise tag on defensive tackle Daron Payne. Payne will earn $18.937 million on the tag if he and the Commanders cannot come to an agreement on a long-term deal, which would give him the fourth-highest annual salary among defensive tackles. Spotrac projects his market value as $19.49million a year.

Last season, Payne played and started all 17 games and recorded a career high 64 total tackles (33 solo), 11.5 sacks, 20 QBH’s, five passes defensed, and one fumble recovered. Payne finished the season becoming the seventh defensive tackle in franchise history to be selected to a Pro Bowl.

The Washington Commanders are looking to make a splash by potentially hiring the Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator, Eric Bieniemy, for the same position with the team. The Commanders announced today that they’ll be interviewing Bieniemy, who is coming off of a Super Bowl win against the Eagles last Sunday.

Per the announcement, “Bieniemy, who began his coaching career in 2001, has 15 years of experience working in the NFL with the Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings. He has also coached for the Colorado Buffaloes in two stints as well as three seasons with UCLA. Prior to being promoted to the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator in 2018, Bieniemy spent most of his coaching career working with running backs.

The Washington Commanders have parted ways with offensive coordinator, Scott Turner. The news, first reported by NBC Sports JP Finlay, was expected following Washington finishing 20th in total offense. Turner has been with Washington, as offensive coordinator, since head coach Ron Rivera arrived in 2020. The offense averaged 330.3 yards per game with 126.1 yards on the ground (12th) and 204.2 yards through the air (21st). Ron Rivera released the following statement:

“I met with Coach Turner today and informed him that we will be moving in another direction going forward with the offensive coordinator position,” Rivera said in a statement. “Unfortunately, we did not live up to the expectations and standard that I expected to see from our offensive unit. I felt it was best for a fresh start at the coordinator position heading into next year. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Scott and thanked him for his three years of service to our organization. I wish Scott and his family all the best in the future.”

In a press release tweeted by NBC Sports’ JP Finlay, attorney Seth Berenzweig has announced that the “originals HOGS”, a group that consists of Joe Jacoby, Mark May, John Riggins, Fred Dean, and Doc Walker, will be suing Dan Snyder and the Washington Commanders. Additional information in the full press release below:

WHAT: Dan Snyder and the Washington Commanders are trying to profit off the original HOGS legacy by taking that trademark and associated goodwill and brand equity of the original HOGS. The Commanders are using the original HOGS brand for commercial purposes with NO compensation to the men who’s blood & sweat equity built the original HOGS brand 40 years ago.

When Jay Glazer reported last month that the Washington Commanders were expected to sell for $7 billion, many thought it wouldn’t be possible for embattled owner to get bids that high. Forbes had previously valued the Commanders at $5.6 billion in August (excluding real estate), which put Washington as the sixth most valuable NFL franchise. With bids for the team due today, Forbes now reports that that Snyder has received bids “well north” of $7 billion, which would be a big return on the $800 million the team went for when Snyder bought the franchise in 1999.

Yesterday, JP Finlay of NBC Sports reported that “At least 5 and possibly as many as 7 bidders expected for the Commanders, per multiple sources. Bids due tomorrow 12/23. Price tag was believed to be at least $6 billion but after Suns sale that’s gone up. Market is brisk. Commanders have no comment.” When commenting on the Forbes report of bids “well north” of $7 billion, Al Galdi of the Al Galdi Show wrote, “…speaks to how much the team is viewed as a sleeping giant. …indicates selling only a minority stake isn’t much of an option. …is further reason to believe Dan is on his way out.” According to various reports, many feel the team will sell for the asking price and the Commanders will be under new ownership for the 2023 NFL season.