Cowboys Ex Dan Quinn Can 'Create a Culture' for Commanders

New Washington Commanders coach Dan Quinn is going to be asked to help rebuild the franchise.

The Washington Commanders ended their coaching search on Thursday morning by hiring Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.

Quinn went 43-42 as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons from 2015-2020 and helped lead the Cowboys to the playoffs in each of his three seasons with the team.

Speaking to Grant Paulsen, SI insider Albert Breer spoke very highly of Quinn and his candidacy for the position.

Dec 11, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn talk at midfield prior to a game against the Houston Texans at AT&T Stadium / Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

“I think [Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator] Dan Quinn is certainly in the mix,” Breer said. “A guy who can create a culture, we’ve seen that in Atlanta. He built a great staff there so you know he’s a guy who has the connections to lure in good offensive coaches.”

Quinn won the NFC during his last head coaching tenure with the Falcons. There, he hired perhaps the best offensive mind in the sport to be his offensive coordinator – current San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Atlanta reaped the benefits of the Shanahan tree and saw quarterback Matt Ryan win the league’s Most Valuable Player award. With the second overall pick, Washington will have the chance to pick one of the class’ top passers and hope to pair him with another Quinn connection.

Given Quinn’s history with Shanahan and how ruthlessly branches of that offense have carved his defense up in Dallas, a wide-zone disciple seems like a likely candidate, should he get the call.

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It may feel like a consolation prize, but Quinn has earned Harris’ seal of approval. The keys that Breer pointed out regarding the locker room and the offensive design could still be a part of the reset button Washington has so badly needed to push.