George Banko, an Alabama graduate who worked on Nick Saban's staffs from his undergraduate days to several seasons as a defensive analyst, is exiting Tuscaloosa, Alabama, sources tell FootballScoop.
Banko, set to be retained by new Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer after DeBoer was hired to replace the retired Saban, is accepting a post on Dan Quinn's new Washington Commanders staff in the NFL, sources told FootballScoop Wednesday.
Set to become a defensive quality control coach for the Commanders, Banko had carved a reputation around the Alabama program for his willingness to take on any task as he worked through a variety of roles to become one of the Tide's top defensive analysts.
Banko will be working in Washington, D.C., for new coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. -- an Alabama native and Auburn graduate.
The Commanders hired Quinn last month to replace the departed Ron Rivera.
A former head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, Quinn has carved his own reputation in the NFL as a defensive mind. He first rose to notoriety as defensive coordinator with the Seattle Seahawks, eventually led the Falcons to a Super Bowl appearance and then earned a second shot as an NFL head coach through his work coordinator the defenses of the Dallas Cowboys.
Quinn and Washington, after hiring noted offensive guru Kliff Kingsbury to run operations on that side of the ball, have the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, which will be hosted in Detroit in late April.