Credit Magic Johnson with another assist to add to his career total. This one was not on the basketball court for the Los Angeles Lakers, but it was in the recruiting area for the Washington Commanders. Johnson played a key role in bringing offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury to Washington to serve as the team’s offensive coordinator.
Kingsbury is considered one of the game’s most creative minds. He appeared to be on his way to joining the Las Vegas Raiders to work on the staff of head coach Antonio Pierce, but Johnson stepped in and pushed hard to bring Kingsbury to Washington before he put his name on a contract with the Raiders.
Pierce, who served as the Raiders’ interim head coach last year before he was named to the full-time position, seemed to understand Johnson’s appeal and had no resentment of the basketball Hall of Famer.
“Teams are recruiting, and things are going on. Listen, Magic Johnson is pretty good. I guess he can still dish it out a little bit. If I’m losing to Magic, I’m OK with that. At the end of the day, if it’s not meant to be, it’s not meant to be.”
Instead of coaching on Pierce’s staff, Kingsbury will be working with new Washington head coach Dan Quinn. The Commanders are hoping that Quinn’s defensive expertise will combine with Kingsbury’s offensive know-how to help turn Washington round
