Chesapeake’s Tapp hopes to make a difference as Commanders defensive line coach

ASHBURN, Va. (WAVY) — They say life after football can be difficult. In the case of former Deep Creek High School standout Darryl Tapp, football is a way of life.

After a 12-year NFL career, Tapp decided to take a crack at coaching and since then, he’s been climbing the ranks.

The former Virginia Tech Hokie started coaching in 2018 as a quality control coach at Central Michigan.

Then there were stops at Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech and then in the NFL with the 49ers as assistant defensive line coach.

Each stop has meant more responsibility.

“It really put everything into perspective,” Tapp said. “I now understand more of the things I’ve been coached over those 12 years in the NFL.”

Now as the defensive line coach of the Commanders, Tapp not only has a new job, he’s much closer to home after spending the last three years in San Francisco.

“I saw my mom more in these last four months before the season started than I had in the last three years because I was in San Francisco,” Tapp said.

“On top of being able to work for my hometown team, knowing that my mom is a drive away and my dad, I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Tapp will be in charge of a defensive line that includes two of the best tackles in the game, DaRon Payne and Jonathan Allen.

Tapp is also no stranger to Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, who served as Tapp’s coordinator for a season in Seattle.

“I’ve had my eye on to him and I knew his time was coming where he was ready to lead,” Quinn said.

Commanders training camp continues for the next several weeks.

The preseason opener is Aug. 10 at the Jets.

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