Denied! Cowboys Block Commanders From Interviewing 2 Coaches for Dan Quinn Staff

The Washington Commanders have been denied permission by the Dallas Cowboys to interview defensive backs coach Al Harris and tight ends coach Lunda Wells for new head coach Dan Quinn’s staff.

While the Washington Commanders were able to hire former Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Dan Quinn as their new head coach, the club’s divisional rival will not allow them free rein on members of their current coaching staff. 

The Commanders, per a Thursday morning ESPN report, were denied permission to interview Cowboys’ tight ends coach Lunda Wells, as well as defensive backs coach Al Harris. 

Cred: James D. Smith, AP

Wells began his coaching career as an offensive line assistant at LSU in 2008. Following promotions to both assistant special teams coach and assistant to the head coach, he left the Tigers in 2012 to become an offensive assistant with the New York Giants. The Louisiana native spent seven seasons in New York, serving as an assistant line coach before taking on the duties of tight ends coach in 2018. Wells became Dallas’ tight ends coach in 2020, where he has been instrumental in the development of former Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz and current top option Jake Ferguson. 

Harris is considered to be a rising star among the coaching ranks. The Texas A&M-Kingsville product was a top caliber cornerback for 14 seasons in the NFL from 1998 to 2011 — his best seasons coming as a member of the Green Bay Packers from 2003-09. 

Harris selected for the Pro Bowl after his 2007 and 2008 seasons in Green Bay. The AP also named him a second-team All-Pro in 2007. Upon the conclusion of his playing days, Harris entered the coaching ranks as an intern under coach Joe Philbin with the Miami Dolphins. He went to coach defensive backs for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2013-2018, under head coach Andy Reid — for whom Harris played for five seasons as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. Harris joined the Cowboys in 2020, reuniting with his ex-coach Mike McCarthy. The 49-year-old has played an integral role in helping develop Dallas corners Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland. 

They were given permission so speak with assistant DL coach Sharrif Floyd and quality control coach/defensive assistant Pete Ohnegian. 

Why Commanders' Dan Quinn Hired Cowboys Ex Joe Whitt Jr.

Floyd, a five-year veteran defensive lineman with the Minnesota Vikings, has served as the assistant defensive line coach and defensive quality control coach. 

Ohnegian, who joined the Cowboys scouting and training staff in February 2023, has also appeared on the silver screen. He played the role of center for the fictitious Washington Sentinels in The Replacements alongside Keanu Reeves. He also acted the part of the Miami Sharks' center in Any Given Sunday, starring Al Pacino.

Quinn has already tabbed Joe Whitt Jr. as the Commanders' new defensive coordinator, with the pair having spent each of the last four seasons together in Dallas.