The Washington Redskins have hired former San Diego Chargers linebackers coach Joe Barry to be their next defensive coordinator, the Washington Times' Zac Boyer reports.
Barry, 44, will be entering his 14th NFL season, including his third as a defensive coordinator. He has been a member of a defensive staff that has finished in the Top 10 in total defense five times, including No. 1 overall in 2002 and 2005.
Redskins head coach Jay Gruden -- speaking from the first day of Senior Bowl practices in Mobile, Ala. -- said Barry "bring energy, commitment to being great."
"I like what he's done in his career -- how he's progressed as a football coach," Gruden said, via The Washington Times.
Barry most recently served as linebackers coach for the San Diego Chargers from 2012-14. Prior to his tenure in San Diego, he was the linebackers coach for Southern California from 2010-11. Barry helped mold linebacker Malcolm Smith into a 2011 draft selection who eventually went on to become the MVP of Super Bowl XLVIII.
"[I] really have a great appreciation for what they've done in San Diego," Gruden said. "They get the most out of their players, have a good scheme. I know that going against them. I know what kind of guy he is and what kind of energy he's going to bring to the team."
Gruden also said Barry plans to continue utilizing the 3-4 defensive scheme with the Redskins, which former defensive coordinator Jim Haslett established when he was hired in 2010.
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