Commanders Hire Former Seahawks Assistant to Coaching Staff

John Glenn joins Washington's special teams unit after stint with Raiders

Apr. 8, 2026 at 2:39am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented, overlapping shapes and planes in navy blue, burgundy, and gold, representing the dynamic movements and energy of a football game or practice.The Commanders' new assistant special teams coach brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to Washington's special teams unit.Seattle Today

The Washington Commanders have added John Glenn to their coaching staff, hiring him as an assistant special teams coach. Glenn previously worked with the Commanders in 2024 and has extensive experience with the Seattle Seahawks, where he coached linebackers and special teams for over a decade.

Why it matters

The Commanders' special teams unit was a strength in 2024, ranking highly in key metrics like punt and kickoff return yardage allowed. Bringing back Glenn, who is familiar with the organization and has a track record of success, should help maintain that level of performance.

The details

Glenn spent last season as the linebackers coach for the Las Vegas Raiders, but he's no stranger to the Commanders. He served as a special teams assistant in Washington in 2024, working under special teams coordinator Larry Izzo. Prior to that, Glenn spent over a decade with the Seattle Seahawks, starting as a coaching and special teams assistant before being promoted to linebackers coach, a role in which he coached the legendary Bobby Wagner.

  • Glenn previously worked for the Commanders in 2024.
  • He spent the 2025 season as the linebackers coach for the Las Vegas Raiders.

The players

John Glenn

A former standout linebacker at East Stroudsburg University who has extensive coaching experience in the NFL, including over a decade with the Seattle Seahawks and a stint with the Washington Commanders in 2024.

Larry Izzo

The Washington Commanders' special teams coordinator, who has helped the team's special teams unit rank highly in key metrics like punt and kickoff return yardage allowed.

Bobby Wagner

The legendary linebacker who played for the Seattle Seahawks during John Glenn's tenure as their linebackers coach.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“When Glenn left to accept the linebackers coach position with the Raiders, Brian Schneider replaced him. However, head coach Dan Quinn revealed in January that Schneider was undergoing cancer treatments. He remains on staff, and Glenn will assist Izzo.”

— Bryan Manning, Author

The takeaway

The Commanders' decision to bring back John Glenn, who has a strong track record of success with special teams units, should help the team maintain the high level of performance their special teams unit displayed in 2024. Glenn's familiarity with the organization and his coaching experience, particularly with legendary linebacker Bobby Wagner, make him a valuable addition to the Commanders' coaching staff.