The Washington Commanders missed the playoff race once again after recording a 4-13 season campaign. The team underwent a significant transformation following the lackluster season, starting with the departure of head coach Ron Rivera.
Although the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was highly projected to take over the role of Rivera, he decided to stay with the Lions in the end. A recent report says the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator, Dan Quinn is going to grab the spot.
Dan Quinn leading candidate for Commanders HC role
Dan Quinn is expected to accept the Commanders’ offer should it come his way. However, the door is not closed on his return to the Cowboys as their defensive coordinator if the Washington job doesn’t materialize.
The rumor around Quinn’s potential move was heightened when he was recently spotted at The Star. Donning Cowboys apparel, he was engaged in conversations with offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and vice president of player personnel Will McClay.
Despite this, the winds of change seem to be blowing him towards the Commanders. He is now believed to be among the final three candidates for the head coaching position.
However, Dan Quinn isn’t the lone contender in the Commanders’ deliberations. Alongside him and Johnson, the team have explored options with other coaching prospects, including Anthony Weaver, Aaron Glenn, and Raheem Morris. The latter was recently appointed as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons
The Commanders’ defensive struggles throughout the season have highlighted the urgency of their coaching decision. Despite having emerging talents, their defense finished last in the league rankings. Should Dan Quinn secure the head coaching role, he would face the formidable task of sealing a defensive resurgence for the team. Along the way, he must address significant roster deficiencies to achieve the desired improvement.
Dan Quinn coaching career and accolades
Dan Quinn’s coaching career began in 2001 when he joined the San Francisco 49ers as a defensive quality control coach. His expertise in defensive strategies soon landed him positions with the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets as their defensive line coach.
In 2009, the veteran took a crucial step in his career by joining the Seattle Seahawks as an assistant head coach and defensive line coach. He played a vital role in molding the formidable “Legion of Boom” defense. His efforts resulted in consecutive Super Bowl appearances for the Seahawks in 2013 and 2014.
Moving into the role of head coach for the Atlanta Falcons in 2015, Dan Quinn led the team to two playoff berths and reached Super Bowl LI in 2017. However, the team faced a notorious defeat, squandering a 28-3 halftime lead against the New England Patriots.
However, after the 2020 season, the coach parted ways with the Falcons. Finding a new home with the Dallas Cowboys, he swiftly made a positive impact. In 2023, the Cowboys boasted the fifth-ranked total defense by allowing just 299.7 yards per game.
