Pete Ohnegian has joined the Washington Commanders as part of the NFL team’s summer roster overhaul. Ohnegian made his NFL debut last season with the Dallas Cowboys. Pete previously served as the Cowboys’ quality control/defensive assistant and will now be the Commandant’s Player Development Coach. Pete had followed Dan Quinn to Washington, where Quinn was formerly the defensive coordinator for the Cowboys. Previously, it was claimed that the Cowboys had allowed the Commander to interview Pete and defensive line coach Sharrif Floyd. However, they have prevented coach Lunda Wells and defensive backs coach Al Harris from being questioned.
The Commander also announced the signing of David Blough as assistant quarterbacks coach, Kliff Kingsbury as offensive coordinator, and Sarah Hogan as head of the coaching staff.
Who is Pete Ohnegian? Commander 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 soccer player for the Arena Soccer League. He played in the Arena Football League for eight years, until 2002. Pete played for four different teams during 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 regular base income of $500 a week plus an extra $150 if they won. In 1995, he signed a contract with the Miami Hooters and later played for the New Jersey Red Dogs and the Los Angeles Avengers.
After leaving the Arena Football League, Pete focused on training athletes. 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 named Assistant Football Coach at William Paterson University of New Jersey in 2018. Pete Ohnegian served as Quality Control/Defensive Assistant for the Dallas Cowboys for one season before joining the Commander in 2024.
Actor Pete Ohnegian
Pete, in addition to his career as a football player and coach, has dabbled in acting. The Commanders trainer only appeared in two films, both co-starring Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino. Pete Ohnegian was featured in the 1999 film Any Given Sunday alongside Hollywood great Al Pacino. The film also stars Dennis Quaid and Cameron Diaz. In the movie, Pete played the center of the Miami Sharks.
Pete returned to center stage a year later, this time for Washington, in The Replacements. In sports movies, he appeared opposite Keanu Reeves and Gene Hackman. In 2022, The Athletic published an article naming Keanu Reeves as Hollywood’s greatest underrated athlete. According to the story, Pete and the former footballer discussed their experience working with the Hollywood star. Pete said in an interview that he once cursed Reeves. Keane didn’t get the scenario right, so being the humble man he is, he told the crew, “It’s my fault, guys.”
But he made another mistake, and Pete warned the actor, “Don’t grope again.” Pete said that it was comfortable to treat him like one of the men. Pete also named Keanu throughout filming. He gave the actor the title Mr. Crabby Pants because he is often unkempt and unshaven on set.
After the session, Ohnegian had his picture taken and autographed by Keanu. The actor wrote
“Pete, if I sound like a quarterback, it’s because of your help and encouragement. My thanks to you. Good luck. 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.
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
