Dan Quinn is headed out of Big D and is being hired by the Washington Commanders to be their new head coach. Quinn came into Dallas and turned around a historically bad Cowboys defense prior to his arrival and created a talented group that was able to rush the passer and create turnovers.
Now, Quinn will be tasked to do so for his former rival in the nation’s capital as the head man. Quinn going to the Commanders is a big shakeup in the NFC East, and the NFL world reacted to the news as it unfolded Thursday morning.
NFL World Reacts to Dan Quinn Hiring
With the final head coaching shoe dropping on Thursday morning, Quinn becomes the last hire to lock all head coaches into their perspective positions amongst the 32 NFL franchises.
From Dallas to D.C.: the Commanders are hiring Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn as their head coach, per league sources.
Quinn and Commanders’ GM Adam Peters are the two men now charged with leading Washington into the future. pic.twitter.com/G9DUdspQPK
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter)
Quinn and new general manager Adam Peters will be tasked with changing the tide of a franchise that desperately needed something different.
Under Dan Quinn, the Cowboys led the NFL in takeaways, sacks and defensive touchdowns over the past three seasons. They also had two different players – Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland – lead the NFL in interceptions. https://t.co/W2dB0bftKr
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN)
ESPN’s Ed Werder is quick to remind us that Quinn came in and quickly turned what was once a historically bad Cowboys defense into a respectable one that was full of talent and accolades.
MORE: Why the Washington Commanders Hired Dan Quinn
“Under Dan Quinn, the Cowboys led the NFL in takeaways, sacks and defensive touchdowns over the past three seasons. They also had two different players – Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland – lead the NFL in interceptions.”
Dan Quinn has fielded a top 5 DVOA defense in all 5 of the seasons where he was a defensive coordinator.
In six years as head coach in Atlanta, Dan Quinn never fielded a defense with a DVOA higher than 14th.
Coordinator and head coach are different skill sets.
— Aaron Schatz 🏈 (@ASchatzNFL)
Aaron Schatz of FTN Fantasy and the creator of DVOA (Defense-adjusted value over average), points out that although Quinn is a quality defensive coordinator with an excellent résumé of work, the difference between being a DC and the head coach can be stark.
“Dan Quinn has fielded a top 5 DVOA defense in all 5 of the seasons where he was a defensive coordinator. In six years as head coach in Atlanta, Dan Quinn never fielded a defense with a DVOA higher than 14th. Coordinator and head coach are different skill sets.”
Here’s one key reason why the #Commanders hired Dan Quinn.
🎥: @TheHerd @ColinCowherd pic.twitter.com/CdLOuGpAVf
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report)
Bleacher Reports’ Jordan Schultz discusses with Fox Sports’ Colin Cowherd some of the keys of why the Commanders chose Quinn to be their next head guy.
“A lot of things that Ron Rivera wasn’t willing to do — take full control of the defense, Dan Quinn will be willing to do.
“They had a top-five defense across the board in Dallas last year, interviewed very well, has a very good relationship with Adam Peters…”
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