Dan Quinn returns to DMV after spending three seasons in Dallas. The new head coach of the Washington Commanders started his career with the William & Mary Tribe team way back in 1994. After stints in the Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, and the Dallas Cowboys, Quinn moves closer to home this season.
The New Jersey native joins the Commanders’ revamped crew under the new ownership of Josh Harris-led group. With the aim of improving their record from last season, along with having the No. 2 pick in the NFL draft, the franchise plans on making some big changes this time around. Quinn has already taken the reins and feels his experience in the DMV will prove helpful in tackling his new responsibilities.
The HC’s ties with the DMV go back to his college days
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The former defensive coordinator is set to start his tenure with Washington with the much-overdue expectations of the team’s revival. While the challenges he’ll meet might be new, Quinn is no stranger to the area encompassing DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Though the HC hails from New Jersey, Quinn started his college career at Salisbury University in Maryland as a defensive lineman. After a successful football run and finding his future wife in the NCAA Division III institute, he started his coaching career instead of trying out in the NFL. Even Quinn’s earliest coaching stint has its routes in the DMV region, with teams from the College of William & Mary and Virginia Military Institute’s football teams.
Now, the Salisbury Hall of Famer returns to the well-traversed land with first-hand experience. When asked if Quinn felt the pressure, the HC affirmed the same. The HC shares that he “grew up on the NFC East” and hence knows how important the sport is to the region.
“So I know how important football is to the DMV. I know how important, you know, this fan base… having a kick-ass team is,” said Quinn. He further added, “If it was pressure, it was more like I wanted that chance to be a part of it and -opportunity. Yeah, so like, once that kicked in, it was like, hell yeah -this has to be the spot.”
Quinn’s addition is a good sign for Washington as he understands the underlying emotions associated with football in the DMV. However, the HC didn’t arrive at the team alone, and brought some of his former protégés along.
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Dan Quinn is happy with Bobby Wagner’s entry into Washington
The former Seahawks linebacker became the latest addition to the Commanders’ roster, signing a one-year contract worth $8.5 million. Wagner played under Quinn for two seasons and is one of his former defensive coordinator’s favorites. After a stint with the Rams, the 2012 draft will be joining Washington for the upcoming season, and no one is happier with the reunion than his former mentor.
Quinn expressed his views about how he feels Wagner will improve the team’s defense. “He’s all that I love about football. He’s a tackler; he’s aggressive; he’s tough; he’s smart; he takes care of himself. What I’m hopeful to see — and I’m certain it’ll happen — he’s a multiplier,” Quinn said, as per NBC Sports. “If you are a young linebacker being around somebody, this is the exact type of linebacker you’d want to be around. . . . Seeing that standard of how we operate. I thought that was really important, and so that’s why I’m so lit up about getting him here,” added Quinn.
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Dan Quinn slowly analyzes his new crew with the aim of infusing new energy into the Washington Commanders. With the recent addition of Wagner and the chance of getting a rookie quarterback from the Draft, the team seems to be on the right track to redeeming themselves.
