Image Source: Bryan Manning, Commanders Wire
Key Takeaways
- David Blough has been promoted to offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders, replacing Kliff Kingsbury.
- Blough is a former NFL quarterback with five seasons of experience and has been an assistant quarterbacks coach for the Commanders since 2024.
- He is married to Melissa Gonzalez, a Colombian-American track star who has won several gold medals.
- Blough has started 7 NFL games and has a touchdown reception to his name.
- He has impressed several current and former NFL head coaches, including Kliff Kingsbury, Ben Johnson, and Kevin O’Connell.
Introduction to David Blough
The Washington Commanders made a significant move on Friday, promoting assistant quarterbacks coach David Blough to offensive coordinator. This decision comes after Kliff Kingsbury mutually parted ways with the organization earlier in the week. Blough, 30, is a former NFL quarterback who began his coaching career in 2024 with the Commanders. As stated in the article, "Blough, 30, a former NFL quarterback for five seasons, began his coaching career in 2024 with Washington, serving as assistant quarterbacks coach for two seasons." This experience has prepared him for his new role as offensive coordinator.
Personal Life and Athletics
Blough’s personal life is also noteworthy. He is married to Melissa Gonzalez, a star athlete who has won several gold medals in track and field. Gonzalez is a University of Texas graduate and competed in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. The couple met in high school at Creekview High School in Carrollton, Texas. Blough’s brother-in-law, Christian Gonzalez, is also an NFL star, having been a first-round pick of the New England Patriots in the 2023 NFL Draft. As the article notes, "Melissa’s younger brother, Christian Gonzalez, is a former first-round pick of the New England Patriots in the 2023 NFL Draft."
NFL Experience
Blough has started 7 NFL games, including 5 games with the Detroit Lions in his rookie year. He was an undrafted free agent in the 2019 NFL Draft and was traded to the Lions just before the season began. In his first NFL start, Blough completed 22 of 30 passes for 280 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. In 2022, he started the final two games with the Arizona Cardinals under Coach Kingsbury. Unfortunately, he was 0-7 as a starting quarterback in the NFL. The article quotes, "In his rookie year, Blough was Detroit’s No. 3 quarterback, and injuries led him to start against the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving Day."
Early Career and Achievements
Blough competed in the 2013 Elite 11, a prestigious quarterback competition that also featured Patrick Mahomes, Deshaun Watson, and former Washington quarterback Kyle Allen. He also has an NFL touchdown reception to his name, having been found by wide receiver Danny Amendola for a 19-yard touchdown in the final game of the 2019 season. As the article notes, "Blough was a three-star quarterback in the 2013 recruiting class, but was good enough to compete in the Elite 11." Blough’s achievements and experiences have prepared him for his new role as offensive coordinator.
Friendships and Inspirations
Blough has also been inspired by his friendship with Tyler Trent, a Purdue superfan who battled a rare form of bone cancer and sadly died at 20 years old. Blough befriended Trent while he was at Purdue and developed a close relationship with him. When Purdue defeated Nebraska, Blough and a few teammates came to Trent’s home to deliver the game ball and pray with him. Blough later spoke at Trent’s funeral, demonstrating his character and compassion. The article quotes, "Trent became an inspiration to the Boilermakers, developing a friendship with Blough."
Coaching Career and Impressions
Blough has impressed several current and former NFL head coaches, including Kliff Kingsbury, Ben Johnson, and Kevin O’Connell. Kingsbury credited Blough with key play calls during the 2024 season, while Johnson credited Blough with specific play designs to attack certain coverages. Johnson even tried to hire Blough last offseason when he took over as the Bears’ head coach. As the article notes, "Kingsbury credited Blough with key play calls during the 2024 season." These endorsements demonstrate Blough’s potential as a coach and his ability to make a positive impact on the Washington Commanders.
https://commanderswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/commanders/2026/01/10/washington-commanders-7-things-know-oc-david-blough/88115523007/