Jesse Madden is following his late grandfather John’s Hall of Fame footsteps into the NFL coaching ranks.
The Washington Commanders revealed Tuesday that Madden will serve as an offensive quality control coach under Dan Quinn, who got his NFL start in a similar entry-level role with the 49ers in 2001 under Steve Mariucci.
Jesse Madden, 21, is the third-oldest of John and Virginia Madden’s five grandchildren. He grew up in Pleasanton and played at Bishop O’Dowd High School before joining Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan program in 2021.
He appeared in one game at quarterback as a 2021 freshman against Northern Illinois, and thus earned a varsity letter, three months before his grandfather passed away at age 85. When John Madden retired in 2016 from his award-winning second career as the NFL’s ultimate broadcast analyst, a driving force was to spend more time with his grandchildren — Sam, Jack, Jesse, Aidan, and McKenna.
Jesse Madden switched from quarterback to become a reserve safety and scout-team star at national champion Michigan, all while casting an eye toward a future in coaching.
The Commanders reached the NFC Championship Game this past season under a group of leaders in their first year with the once-troubled franchise: Quinn, quarterback Jayden Daniels, general manager Adam Peters (formerly the 49ers’ assistant GM), and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
“Love hiring talented young dudes who will be NEXT!!!!!” Quinn wrote in a text message to this news organization.
Madden’s addition to the staff was announced in conjunction with the hiring of special teams coordinator Brian Schneider, who held that role the previous three seasons with the 49ers before being fired a day after their 6-11 season ended.