Kliff Kingsbury was a fired head coach who could not finish in the NFL.Two years after the Arizona Cardinals axed Kingsbury, he helped guide Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels to the NFC Conference Championship Game, falling one win shy of reaching the coveted Super Bowl. Kingsbury currently serves as the OC of the Commanders, and was pivotal to Jayden Daniels’ development last seasonGettyKingsbury, 46, has bounced between being trumpeted as an offensive genius and trolled on social media for simply not being good enough.The 2024 NFL season was one of full redemption for the Commanders offensive coordinator, who turned down a similar job as the Las Vegas Raiders’ OC to turn Washington into the league’s fifth-best scoring attack in 2024. Daniels received all the awe and praise after the Commanders shredded the No. 1 seed Detroit Lions 45-31 inside a stunned Ford Field in the NFC Divisional Round. Kingsbury was right behind No. 5 for the burgundy and gold, dialing up 481 yards of offense and linking up with a rookie QB who keeps making weekly history.“Jayden Daniels might be having the best rookie quarterback season of all time,” talkSPORT NFL Run Down host Will Gavin exclusively said.After being fired by Arizona in January 2023 following a 28-37-1 overall record, Kingsbury took time away from the sport, then served as a senior offensive analyst with USC.As part of the 2023 Trojans, he worked with future No. 1 overall draft pick Caleb Williams.In Week 4 of the 2024 season, Kingsbury received a game ball after he helped guide Daniels and the Commanders to a 42-14 road blowout of the Cardinals — the same franchise that axed Kingsbury.Washington scored on seven of its nine possessions and only punted once.The Commanders rolled for 449 yards of offense, collected 29 first downs, went 9-of-12 on third downs and were 4-of-5 in the red zone.Caleb Williams also benefited from Kingsbury’s coaching and experienceGettyDaniels and Williams have both excelled under KingsburyGetty“How many times have we talked about some of the new quarterbacks out there, that they played this style in college and now they get to the NFL, they can’t see it the same,” former Buffalo Bills coaching intern Phoebe Schecter exclusively told talkSPORT.“How great is that, because all the NFL is is stealing from college and vice versa. So now you actually allow the scheme to fit your players. So for me that’s a total winner.”With all eyes on Daniels — who ranked fourth in the NFL last season with a 70.5 QB rating — Washington head coach Dan Quinn brought the Commanders to peak volume inside a post-game locker room by rewarding the team’s redeemed OC.“There’s one mother that ain’t leaving this ****ing city without one (a game ball),” Quinn said.Then he paused.“Kliff!” shouted Quinn.Mahomes was recruited by Kliff Kingsbury to join Texas Tech and became an NFL superstarGettyWashington’s players shouted louder, breaking into an impromptu celebration as Kingsbury received a game ball, after beating the team that fired him.“Let’s go,” said Kingsbury, as he brought the players in. “Get in, get in, get in.”After strong starts with Arizona and Kyler Murray that ended with late-season disappointment, Commanders fans loved seeing the former college head coach and offensive assistant be celebrated by a buzzing Washington team.“Top five video of all time, this is awesome,” one fan posted.“Redemption and revenge have to feel nice for Kingsbury about now,” a second fan tweeted.“We’re so back,” a third fan wrote.Patrick Mahomes put up huge college numbers at Texas Tech working alongside Kingsbury.The Kansas City Chiefs superstar QB threw for 11,252 yards and 93 TDs as a Red Raider from 2014-16.“It’s someone who’s taught me a ton,” Mahomes said. “He got me, kind of out of high school, where I was a baseball player trying to play football. “Basically, trying to be on my own. You’re leaving the household and kind of being on your own, and he helped me become who I am today.”Rookie RampageJayden Daniels' emphatic rookie seasonPass Completion (%): 69%Passing Yards: 3,568Rushing Yards: 891Passing Touchdowns: 25Rushing Touchdowns: 6Interceptions: 9Team Record: 12-5The San Antonio-born Kingsbury was drafted in the sixth round by the New England Patriots in 2003. He won a Super Bowl ring with New England but soon bounced around the league, completing 1-of-2 passes for 17 yards in 2005 with the New York Jets.After putting up big numbers with the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europe in 2006, Kingsbury spent time with the Houston Cougars and Texas A&M before taking over Texas Tech.He helped Mahomes and Williams become elite pros.Now, an aggressive but cool OC — who faced instant criticism when he was hired by Washington in February 2024 — Kingsbury has once again showcased what he can bring to this league.“The poise, the work ethic throughout the week, the mentality doesn’t waver,” Kingsbury said before NFC Championship week. “There’s specific instances that continue to help him (Daniels) grow and evolve as a player. But he’s very consistent in his approach and has been since he got here.”Daniels outplayed the Giants to put the Commanders 1-0 on the seasonGettyAlthough they didn’t achieve their goal of reaching the Super Bowl last season, the Commanders have picked up where they left off and are 1-0 to start the season. In a division rivalry matchup against the New York Giants, Daniels came out firing, completing 19-of-30 of his passes and throwing 233 yards for a touchdown, and rushing for an additional 68 yards rushing, completely outplaying opposing veteran quarterback, Russell Wilson in the process. But Kingsbury’s offensive schemes are more intricate than simply relying on his quarterback to go out and make a play. Instead, he instills confidence in every single one of this team, such as that of seventh-round draft pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt in the backfield. The rookie, who was selected with the 245th overall pick in the 2025 draft, exploded for 82 yards and a touchdown from just 10 carries, being trusted by his OC to help move the offense down the field when veteran starter Austin Ekeler couldn’t get firing after dealing with a shoulder ailment. Kingsbury’s talent is undeniable and it seems only a matter of time before one of the NFL’s 32 teams make him a head coach again.Until then, he’ll keep coaching and developing some of the best young QBs on the planet, and put them in the best position possible to chase their Super Bowl dreams.