Pete Ohnegian has joined the Washington Commanders as part of the NFL team’s summer roster revamp. Ohnegian made his NFL debut last season with the Dallas Cowboys. Pete formerly served as the Cowboys’ quality control/defensive assistant and will now be the Commanders’ Player Development Coach. Pete has followed Dan Quinn to Washington, where Quinn was formerly the defensive coordinator for the Cowboys. Previously, it was claimed that the Cowboys had permitted the Commanders to interview Pete and defensive line coach Sharrif Floyd. However, they had prevented tight ends coach Lunda Wells and defensive backs coach Al Harris from being interrogated.
The Commanders also announced the signing of David Blough as assistant quarterbacks coach, Kliff Kingsbury as offensive coordinator, and Sarah Hogan as coaching chief of staff.
Who is Pete Ohnegian? Commanders’ New Player Development Coach
Pete Ohnegian made his NFL debut last year with the Dallas Cowboys. In 2021, Ohnegian joined the NFL’s professional scouting department and worked there for two years. He graduated from Lafayette College in 1994 with a Liberal Arts/Liberal Studies degree and went on to serve as the defensive line coach. Ohnegian held the role for nine months.
At the same time, he was a professional football player for the Arena Football League. He played in the Arena Football League for eight years, until 2002. Pete played for four different teams throughout his Arena Football League career. He joined the Tampa Bay Storms in 1994 and played both defensive end and offensive guard. During an interview with The Morning Call in 1994, Ohnegian said that they had a typical base income of $500 per week plus an additional $150 if they won. In 1995, he signed with Miami Hooters and then played for the New Jersey Red Dogs and Los Angeles Avengers.
After leaving the Arena Football League, Pete focused on athlete training. The National Strength and Conditioning Agency (NSCA) certified him as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). In 2003, he founded Good Energy Training. Pete chose to return to coaching after 13 years of working with clients on a personal level. Pete joined the Army West Point Athletic Association in 2016 and was appointed Assistant Football Coach at William Paterson University of New Jersey in 2018. Pete Ohnegian served as the Dallas Cowboys’ Quality Control/Defensive Assistant for one season before joining the Commanders in 2024.
Actor Pete Ohnegian
Pete, in addition to his career as a football player and coach, has dabbled in acting. The Commanders’ coach has only appeared in two films, both of which co-starred Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino. Pete Ohnegian was featured in the 1999 film Any Given Sunday with Hollywood great Al Pacino. The film also stars Dennis Quaid and Cameron Diaz. In the film, Pete played the Miami Sharks’ center.
Pete returned to the center position a year later, this time for Washington, in the film The Replacements. In the sports film, he appeared opposite Keanu Reeves and Gene Hackman. In 2022, The Athletic published an article naming Keanu Reeves as Hollywood’s greatest underestimated athlete. According to the story, Pete and the former football player discussed their experience working with the Hollywood star. Pete said in the interview that he once cursed out Reeves. Keane wasn’t getting the scenario right, so being the humble man, he told the crew, “My fault, guys.”
But he made another error, and Pete warned the actor, “Don’t f—— fumble it again.” Pete said that it was comfortable to treat him like one of the guys. Pete also gave Keanu a moniker throughout the filming. He gave the actor the moniker Mr. Crabby Pants because he was often unkempt and unshaven on set.
After the session, Ohnegian took a photo and had it signed by Keanu. The actor wrote
“Pete, if I sound like a quarterback, it’s due of your assistance and encouragement. My gratitude to you. I wish you the best. Keanu Reeves, also known as Mr. Crabby Pants.
Can Keanu Reeves do anything wrong? Pete’s last acting role was as a limo driver in the 2002 television series Law & Order: Criminal Intent, after his time with The Replacements.
