Commanders’ Ron Rivera fires defensive line coach, cites ‘difference in the philosophy’

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The Washington Commanders have fired defensive line coach Sam Mills III just a few days into the start of training camp. 

Ron Rivera, who is heading into his third season as head coach in Washington, announced that he relieved Mills of his duties on Tuesday, telling reporters that Jeff Zgonina would take over as defensive line coach.  

Washington Football Team defensive line coach Sam Mills III during the New Orleans Saints game at FedEx Field on Oct. 10, 2021. (John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

"I made a change on the coaching staff," Rivera told reporters on Tuesday. ‘I relieved Sam Mills of his duties. Just a different philosophy for the most part. And we’ll go from there."

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"Just some observations," Rivera added. "To me, I just felt it was a change I needed to make. Feeling there was a little bit of a difference in the philosophy."

Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera watches his team practice at their training facility, Aug. 5, 2022, in Ashburn, Virginia. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Rivera told reporters it was a decision he made himself, not asking any of the players for their input. Rivera added that the move stemmed from the 2022 offseason and training camp, and was less about the struggles of the defensive line during the 2021 season. 

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Rivera and Mills have a long history of working together, with Mills spending the 2011 through 2019 seasons in Carolina with Rivera. Mills joined the Commanders in January 2020. 

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