Two sources with knowledge of the decision say that Dan Quinn, the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, has an agreement with the Washington Commanders to be hired as coach.
Since the team had not yet made the transfer official, the individuals spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday under the condition of anonymity. The NFL franchise that hired a new head coach was Washington.
Quinn, 53, coached the Atlanta Falcons for more than five seasons before spending the last three as the defensive coordinator for the NFC East rival Cowboys. After leading the Falcons to a Super Bowl appearance in 2016, Quinn was fired in 2020 following a 0–5 start.
He was selected by Washington after Mike Macdonald, the defensive coordinator for Baltimore, was hired by the Seahawks on Wednesday, and Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson—who was regarded as a top contender—told teams on Tuesday that he would remain in Detroit.
After four disappointing years under Ron Rivera’s leadership, the organization has a much-needed new approach under controlling owner Josh Harris, new general manager and head of football operations Adam Peters, and Quinn. This time, Harris was determined to divide the coaching and personnel responsibilities.
In his second term as an NFL head coach, Quinn now has the opportunity to assemble his own staff, much like Peters has the power to select a new coach. Though it’s unlikely, Eric Bieniemy may return to his role as offensive coordinator. On the defensive side, that post is unfilled following Rivera’s firing of Jack Del Rio in the middle of the previous campaign.
Before Dallas lost in the opening round of the playoffs, Quinn’s defense helped them win the NFC East and was sixth in the league in terms of yards and points allowed. After going 4-13, including two blowout defeats to the Cowboys, he inherited the Commanders.
Although the team hasn’t had a reliable quarterback in decades, Washington does have the second selection in the draft, more than $80 million in salary cap room, and the chance for Peters and Quinn to personally select the team’s next quarterback.
After Johnson pulled himself out of consideration, Washington brass had to pivot to other candidates. Macdonald going to Seattle made Quinn the front-runner, and he got the job over the likes of Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Baltimore assistant Anthony Weaver.
Quinn represents the leader Peters was looking for in the successor to Rivera.
Quinn had also been linked to the Seahawks, for whom he worked under Pete Carroll as defensive coordinator in 2013 and 2014 before getting his first chance to run a team with Atlanta. The Falcons led 28-3 in the Super Bowl on Feb. 5, 2017, before losing to the New England Patriots.
Quinn, a native of New Jersey, spent one year at Virginia Military Institute and five years at Hofstra before beginning his coaching career in 1994 as the defensive line coach at William & Mary. From 2001 to 2010, he served as a staff member for the San Francisco, New York Jets, and Seattle teams. After graduating from Florida University, he rejoined the Seahawks and contributed to their 2013 Super Bowl victory.
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