Washington Commanders

Lore & Background

Washington was among the first NFL franchises with an original fight song, 'Hail to the Commanders', which has been played by their marching band after home game touchdowns since 1937. The franchise won NFL championships in 1937 and 1942 and Super Bowls XVII (1982), XXII (1987), and XXVI (1991). The Commanders have finished a season as league runner-up six times, losing the 1936, 1940, 1943, and 1945 title games and Super Bowls VII (1972) and XVIII (1983).

Washington has 14 NFC East division titles and 26 total playoff appearances. All of Washington's championships were attained during two 10-year spans. From 1936 to 1945, the team went to the NFL Championship six times, winning two of them under general manager Jack Espey and head coach Ray Flaherty. Washington appeared in four Super Bowls and won three under owner Jack Kent Cooke, general managers Bobby Beathard and Charley Casserly, and head coach Joe Gibbs from 1982 to 1991.

From 1946 to 1970, Washington posted just four winning seasons and never reached the playoffs. They went without a single winning season from 1956 to 1968 and achieved their worst regular season record in 1961. Since their last Super Bowl victory in 1991, the team has won just five playoff games and four division titles.

Reader's Guide

The team's fight song is 'Hail to the Commanders', played after home game touchdowns since 1937.

Stanford Playing Career

Andrew Devon Terrell built a formidable foundation during his collegiate tenure at Stanford University, where he competed from 2009 to 2012. As a four-year letterman, he distinguished himself primarily as a punt returner, earning three consecutive All-Pac-12 honorable mentions between 2010 and 2012. His versatility allowed him to contribute significantly on both sides of the ball; over 47 career games, he recorded 44 receptions for 557 yards and five touchdowns while also returning 71 punts for 797 yards and a score.

Terrell was instrumental in Stanford's success during his final season, serving as the team's leading receiver in 2012. That standout year saw the Cardinal achieve a 12-2 record, secure the Pac-12 championship, and triumph in the Rose Bowl. His consistent performance helped anchor four consecutive bowl teams, showcasing his reliability and skill before transitioning into the coaching ranks.

Early Coaching Foundations

Terrell's transition from player to coach began immediately after college, leveraging relationships formed during his athletic career. In 2014, he joined Virginia Tech as a graduate assistant, a role secured through Aaron Moorehead, who had previously served as a graduate assistant at Stanford while Terrell was playing. This initial step allowed him to learn the intricacies of coaching wide receivers and special teams in a collegiate setting. The following year, he moved to the University of Michigan, continuing his development as a graduate assistant under Jim Harbaugh, his former head coach from Stanford.

These early experiences were crucial for understanding offensive schemes at high levels. By working alongside established mentors like Moorehead and Harbaugh, Terrell gained valuable insights into player development and game planning, setting the stage for his eventual entry into professional football coaching staffs.

Washington Commanders Tenure

Terrell entered the NFL coaching landscape in 2020 when he was hired by the Washington Football Team as an assistant wide receivers coach. His role expanded significantly the following year; after Jim Hostler was promoted to senior offensive assistant, Terrell ascended to become the primary wide receivers coach for the franchise during its transition to the Commanders moniker. This period marked a critical phase in his professional growth, allowing him to manage NFL talent and contribute directly to the team's offensive strategy. However, his time with Washington concluded on February 24, 2023, when he parted ways with the organization. Despite the eventual departure, his promotion from assistant to head coach for the position demonstrated the trust placed in his abilities by the coaching staff during a dynamic era of roster changes and rebranding efforts.

Rapid NFL Ascent

Following his departure from Washington, Terrell quickly secured a significant leadership role with the Arizona Cardinals. On March 1, 2023, he was appointed as both the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach under head coach Jonathan Gannon, signaling a major step up in responsibility within the league. This dual title indicated that his expertise was valued not just for player development but also for orchestrating complex offensive strategies. His career continued to accelerate, leading to his hiring by the Buffalo Bills on February 2, 2026. There, he joined head coach Joe Brady's staff as the wide receivers coach. This trajectory from graduate assistant at Virginia Tech and Michigan to a coordinator role in Arizona and finally a key position with the Bills highlights his rapid rise through the NFL coaching hierarchy over less than a decade.