Coaching career
San Diego Chargers
Manusky followed Schottenheimer from Washington to the San Diego Chargers in 2002, as Schottenheimer, newly hired as the Chargers head coach, named Manusky linebackers coach. He remained in this position for five seasons. After the San Diego Chargers finished the 2006 season with a 14–2 record, Manusky accepted a defensive coordinator position with the San Francisco 49ers for the 2007 season.[3]
San Francisco 49ers
Manusky spent four years as the San Francisco 49ers under 49ers head coach Mike Singletary. After the 2010 season, Singeltary was fired by the team. Former Stanford University head coach Jim Harbaugh replaced Singletary. Harbaugh gave Manusky permission to interview with other teams. Manusky ultimately accepted the defensive coordinator job with the Chargers, with whom he had previously worked as a linebackers coach.[4]
San Diego Chargers
Manusky spent a year as a defensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers. After an 8–8 season, the Chargers decided to part ways with Manusky. Subsequently, the Indianapolis Colts named him as their defensive coordinator for the 2012 season.
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts hired Manusky as their defensive coordinator on February 2, 2012.[5] He spent four years under head coach Chuck Pagano. After four seasons, he was fired by the Colts on January 5, 2016.[6]
Washington Redskins (second stint)
On January 22, 2016, Manusky was hired to be the outside linebackers coach for the Washington Redskins.[7] A year later, the Redskins promoted him to defensive coordinator.[8]
In the 2018 season, safety D. J. Swearinger publicly criticized Manusky and his play calling following the team's Week 16 loss to the Tennessee Titans.[9] Despite being one of the better defensive players on the team that season, Swearinger was released the next day by head coach Jay Gruden for his comments against the Manusky.[10]
Manusky left the team among staff turnover after the Redskins hired Ron Rivera as their new head coach following the 2019 season.[11]
University of Kentucky
He then joined the University of Kentucky's football team to be one of their defensive quality control assistants in 2020.
Minnesota Vikings
On March 1, 2022, Manusky was hired as the inside linebackers coach for the Minnesota Vikings under new head coach Kevin O'Connell.[12] On February 19, 2023, the Vikings fired him following the hiring of Brian Flores as their new defensive coordinator.[13]
Denver Broncos
On February 25, 2023, the Denver Broncos announced the hiring of Manusky as their inside linebackers coach under new head coach Sean Payton.[14] On January 28, 2025, Manusky and the Broncos mutually agreed to part ways.[15]
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