DAN QUINN WAITED anxiously for his telephone to ring.
It was Feb. 7, sooner or later after he had interviewed to be the subsequent coach of the Washington Commanders, and the silence, on this case, was not golden.
4 years after being fired because the Atlanta Falcons head coach, and following a profitable stint as Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator from 2021 to 2023, Quinn believed the time was proper to have a crew of his personal once more. The telephone, nevertheless, wouldn’t cooperate. So, as an alternative of simply letting him tempo round his Dallas dwelling, his spouse, Stacey, steered they ease the stress and go for a drive.
In the meantime, in Cellular, Alabama, Commanders basic supervisor Adam Peters was at a dinner with crew scouts fielding name after name as he and Washington’s hiring committee finalized its resolution in regards to the franchise’s subsequent coach.
Welcome to the NFL offseason
• Group-by-team offseason information (ESPN+)• Key individuals (ESPN+) | Priorities, dates• Monitoring coach openings, hirings• Rating prime 50 free brokers (ESPN+)• NFL draft order | Prime draft prospects
Lastly, that night time, Peters known as Quinn.
However there was no reply. Quinn had fallen asleep on his sofa.
“He made me wait so lengthy,” Quinn joked at his introductory information convention. “I am not answering on the primary ring.”
He did shortly return the decision and Peters delivered the excellent news. After listening to the excited GM’s job supply, Quinn responded with two phrases: “F— yeah!” Then he hugged Stacey.
After 4 weeks and 14 interviews with potential candidates, Washington had its man and Quinn his crew. Quinn had bought the Commanders’ hiring committee — consisting of Peters, proprietor Josh Harris, longtime NFL basic supervisor Rick Spielman, former Golden State Warriors GM Bob Myers and entrance workplace veteran Martin Mayhew — on his management traits, willingness to be taught from failure and need to work hand-in-hand with the entrance workplace. Aiding Quinn’s case had been a flood of endorsements acquired on his behalf, together with from Warriors coach Steve Kerr and Falcons proprietor Arthur Clean, who had fired Quinn in 2020.
Washington’s teaching search was not with out intrigue. Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was within the operating earlier than pulling out to stay in Detroit. Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinators Mike Macdonald and Raheem Morris had been additionally thought of, a number of crew sources stated, earlier than Macdonald picked the Seattle Seahawks and Morris selected the Falcons. However in accordance with sources closely concerned within the hiring course of, Quinn — who led the Seahawks’ vaunted Legion of Growth protection as coordinator, guided Atlanta to a Tremendous Bowl look as head coach and remodeled the Cowboys’ protection right into a top-10 unit — was by no means thought of a Plan B.
“Each time we spoke with Dan, it grew to become an increasing number of clear that he was the man,” Peters stated. “Each instances it was like we had been talking the identical language. It was actually, actually cool, had a terrific connection, had a terrific shared imaginative and prescient, so it was nearly instantly that I knew Dan can be a terrific coach for us.”
A COACHING SEARCH was nothing new for lots of the individuals on Washington’s hiring committee. Spielman had completed it in Minnesota as a basic supervisor. Myers interviewed quite a few candidates earlier than selecting Kerr. Harris has employed coaches with each with the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils a number of instances. Mayhew went via it twice as Lions GM for eight seasons.
For Peters, who was hiring a coach for the primary time, the expertise offered by the group was invaluable. At instances he would sit again and observe the possible coach’s physique language as this group took the lead.
When interviewing Quinn, a number of sources concerned within the course of stated, Harris requested him the identical query he requested others: What was his impression of the crew’s personnel? Harris additionally centered on the connection between the coach, basic supervisor and proprietor. Myers, too, requested in regards to the coach-GM dynamic. Spielman requested how he would deal with disaster administration conditions, comparable to receiving a name at 2 a.m. a couple of participant who simply gotten a DUI arrest.
Editor’s Picks
2 Associated
However one query stood out: Myers requested Quinn about essentially the most adversity he had confronted. That one was straightforward: Tremendous Bowl LI, when Quinn’s Falcons blew a 28-3 result in the New England Patriots and misplaced in extra time. The group did not ask Quinn to relive the sport, however slightly, how he dealt with the state of affairs.
“He talked about it in a really wholesome means, non-defensive means,” one supply who was within the room stated.
In addition they favored what he did not do: blame others for the loss.
“We have now seen him in a brutally troublesome place, undergo it, get via it and get again on the horse and say, ‘I need one other crack at this,'” one crew supply stated. “If Andy Reid was blamed for the Eagles shedding the Tremendous Bowl [XXXIX, in 2005] and by no means bought one other job that may’ve been a travesty.”
EARLY IN THE course of, Washington’s search crew shortly realized it had acquired extra votes of help for Quinn than anybody else.
One individual concerned within the hiring course of stated the quantity of people that contacted Washington on his behalf was “considerably extra” than anybody else on the checklist. As one individual stated, Quinn’s evangelists “got here out of the woodwork.”
That wasn’t meant as a knock on the opposite candidates, this individual stated, however slightly a sign of how extremely individuals who knew him seen Quinn.
Kerr, a four-time NBA champion as coach, was considered one of them. He and Quinn had struck up a friendship over time; their brokers work for a similar firm. Kerr texted Myers: “He is your man; you have to rent him.”
Former Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman, who performed two seasons for Quinn, texted Peters on Quinn’s behalf. Peters spoke in-depth about Quinn with San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan — Quinn’s offensive coordinator in Atlanta — who, Peters stated, was effusive in his reward. Peters later informed individuals he could not recall Shanahan touting somebody so extremely.
Many others all through the NFL who knew Quinn reached out to Peters, by way of name or textual content.
Maybe the most important endorsement got here from Falcons proprietor Clean. Clean, who fired Quinn in 2020 after six seasons with the Falcons, reached out to Harris unsolicited on Quinn’s behalf.
“To have Atlanta endorse Dan was highly effective,” one individual concerned stated.
1:35
Will Compton discusses Dan Quinn’s hopes in Washington with Pat McAfee
Former Washington linebacker Will Compton talks with “The Pat McAfee Present” about new Commanders coach Dan Quinn.
“WHAT WOULD YOU do in a different way?”
A brief query throughout Quinn’s interview led to a protracted reply — and one which a number of sources concerned stated cemented the crew’s perception in him.
Quinn detailed what he thought of his blind spots throughout his time in Atlanta, how he rectified a few of these points in Dallas and the way he would implement adjustments in Washington.
Shortly after he was fired by Atlanta on Oct. 11, 2020, Laura Okmin, a longtime TV sports activities reporter at present with Fox, contacted Quinn with an thought. She needed to do what Quinn later termed a “360 assessment” — a personal report to assist him determine areas he wanted to enhance as a coach. Okmin had completed exterior work with Quinn since 2015 on varied elements of the trade, together with media coaching. She has labored with different coaches and athletes as nicely.
That stage of self-analysis was nothing new for Quinn. In 2017, after shedding the Tremendous Bowl to the Patriots, he sought opinions from others who had been in the same state of affairs, together with former Cleveland supervisor Terry Francona, whose crew held a 3-1 World Sequence benefit in opposition to the Chicago Cubs in 2016 earlier than shedding in seven video games.
What to know for the 2024 NFL draft
• Mocks: Yates | Kiper | Miller | Reid• Ranks: Kiper | Yates | Reid | Miller• QB Scorching Board | First-rounders• Place ranks | Grades | Order | Extra
Throughout the interview with Washington, Quinn centered on enhancing his blind spots, detailing the 360 assessment, a number of individuals concerned within the course of stated. Quinn had given Okmin a listing of about 50 names to contact. She requested they be individuals he might need reduce, handed over for a job or didn’t finish with on good phrases. She didn’t desire a glowing assessment of Quinn, she needed to gather data that might assist him develop as a coach.
Okmin stated she spoke to 30-40 individuals. Among the many findings Quinn shared with Washington throughout a several-hour video convention name with him: He had unfold himself too skinny with Atlanta and wanted to delegate extra, which he ultimately did in Dallas, giving his assistants extra say in making ready the protection. Quinn informed the interviewers in Washington his defensive coordinator would name the performs, not like his setup in Atlanta. This is able to free Quinn to deal with all elements of being a head coach.
Quinn additionally shared his imaginative and prescient for a succession plan on offense, stated sources who had been within the room — one thing he had come to remorse not having in Atlanta. When Shanahan left to turn into 49ers head coach, slightly than fill Shannahan’s place from inside, Quinn regarded exterior the group, letting Falcons assistant coaches Matt LaFleur (quarterbacks coach) and Mike McDaniel (offensive assistant) comply with Shanahan to San Francisco. In all, 5 of his prime eight offensive assistants left with Shanahan — together with any offensive continuity. And whereas LaFleur and McDaniel have discovered success as head coaches with the Inexperienced Bay Packers and Miami Dolphins, respectively, Quinn changed Shanahan with Steve Sarkisian, who put in a brand new offense. He left after two seasons and was changed by Dirk Koetter, who put in one other new system.
“Till you’ve got really [replaced coaches], it is arduous to actually plan it,” one individual concerned within the course of stated of Quinn’s succession plan. “That is a bonus that he had.”
Lastly, Quinn shared how he altered his defensive schemes amid his stops in Seattle, Atlanta and Dallas, altering from a 3-4 protection made well-known by the Seahawks to a 4-3 with the Cowboys. Dallas yielded the fifth-fewest yards (299.7) and factors (18.5) per sport within the NFL final season.
“He advanced in Dallas,” stated the one who was concerned within the course of. “He had taken these classes to coronary heart and actually labored on something that he thought he may not have completed as nicely. That was an impressive factor that he did that did separate him.”
Added a crew supply: “After which attacking these issues and having a plan for all the things and an in depth plan and a very good plan the place I am writing it down like, ‘Oh man, that is good.'”
WHEN PETERS WAS employed Jan. 12, one crew supply stated he was firmly the crew’s prime goal. The seek for a coach was completely different.
Throughout Peters’ interview, he offered Washington with a listing of coaches he needed to interview if he bought the job, stated one supply who was concerned. The checklist matched carefully with what the Commanders had compiled.
They later separated their candidates into tiers — Quinn and Johnson had been amongst a number of Tier 1 targets.
Complicating issues was that Washington’s interviews needed to begin the day earlier than Peters was employed, which allowed the Commanders to adjust to NFL guidelines about when coaches within the playoffs might communicate to different groups. On Jan. 11, Harris, Mayhew, Spielman and Myers spoke by way of video convention with Ravens assistants Macdonald and Anthony Weaver.
They spoke to Johnson, Quinn, Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Morris and Houston offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik within the two days after Peters was employed.
Every interview session lasted roughly two hours, with all 5 members from Washington’s committee taking part, although solely Peters, Mayhew and Spielman had been round for all the interval. The periods had been corresponding to a primary date, they stated. They weren’t going to “marry anybody” after a video convention. They did not focus on every candidate in-depth following their interview. As an alternative, they waited till after they had been completed with all of the preliminary interviews to match notes intimately. It eliminated some emotion, permitting them to concentrate on specifics.
Better of NFL Nation
• 49ers’ are in phases of grief?• Will Walker’s utilization change with Jags?• Listed below are choices as Rodgers’ backup• Surtain furutre looms massive in Denver• How will Payments handle cap?
A number of sources stated the group favored Morris, whom Spielman has recognized for 20 years. After Atlanta provided Morris its job in late January, his aspect knowledgeable Washington. However the Commanders had been decided to complete all of their in-person interviews. When the Falcons employed Morris on Jan. 25, Washington nonetheless had 5 in-person interviews remaining.
As a result of Detroit and Baltimore had performed NFC and AFC title video games on Jan. 28, and since every had two candidates, Washington needed to go to their respective cities for the interviews. Commanders brass went to Baltimore on Jan. 29 for 2 interviews, talked to Quinn the subsequent morning in Washington after which boarded their non-public aircraft for Detroit.
Although many NFL sources believed Johnson was the highest candidate, Washington had not interviewed him in individual. Earlier than he might be thought of one of many favorites, the committee needed a face-to-face interview.
In line with crew sources, Washington’s decision-makers had been trying ahead to their Detroit journey to satisfy with Glenn and Johnson. However Washington by no means bought that likelihood with the latter. Whereas the committee members had been en route, Johnson texted them to say he had determined to stick with the Lions. In line with a number of individuals concerned, as a result of Johnson texted after they had been within the air, they came upon about his resolution by way of social media, earlier than his textual content went via — a sequence that irked the Commanders delegation.
The Commanders additionally favored Macdonald. However after their interview with Glenn on Tuesday, Jan. 30, they needed to have extra inside conversations in regards to the candidates. Mayhew and Peters flew to Cellular, Alabama, for the Senior Bowl; Harris went to Miami and Myers to Los Angeles. They spoke later that night time and once more Wednesday morning.
Nevertheless, that morning they discovered Macdonald was flying to Seattle for a second in-person interview with the Seahawks. Washington known as to see if Macdonald was nonetheless all in favour of its opening, however, after speaking to him, the group knew it was a matter of time earlier than he bought the Seattle job. Certainly, he was named the Seahawks’ coach a number of hours later.
That very same day, Slowik bought an extension to stick with Houston, leaving Washington with three candidates: Quinn, Weaver and Glenn. Sources concerned within the course of stated Quinn’s expertise and his detailed plans gained him the job. Washington additionally favored pairing its new basic supervisor with an skilled coach.
The Commanders additionally evaluated every candidate on seven qualities: management, intelligence, honesty, integrity, consistency of character, communication and talent to construct a workers. Every candidate acquired a rating from 1 to 10; Quinn acquired all 9s and 10s and scored the very best, in accordance with a supply concerned within the course of. The supply stated that the Commanders didn’t rent Quinn as a result of he had the very best rating, however that it mirrored their ideas on him.
THE TIMING WORKED out nicely for Quinn. Washington needed a powerful chief. And he needed to be a part of a collaborative crew — from the highest of the group on down.
Harris was a first-time NFL proprietor, Peters a first-time basic supervisor and Quinn can be a part of a brand new group. That setup appealed to Quinn.
“What I used to be on the lookout for was to be a part of a crew like this,” he stated.
Washington additionally has essentially the most wage cap area this offseason. The Commanders can have roughly $75 million in area as soon as free company begins.
In Dallas, Quinn wasn’t seeking to bolt for the primary job accessible. He interviewed up to now — together with with Indianapolis, Arizona and Denver in 2023. He favored his protection in Dallas and believed the crew might do one thing particular, one individual near him stated. However, this yr, the timing felt proper, in accordance with the identical supply.
He additionally interviewed this time with the Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Chargers, Tennessee Titans and Seattle. He stated the match felt proper in Washington — all sides might present what the opposite needed. He favored what he heard from Harris and Peters particularly, contemplating they’re who he’d be tethered to throughout his tenure. He favored that it was a historic franchise with a fan base “actually eager to go get after it.”
“I have been ready on this second,” Quinn stated. “I can’t wait to get this factor rocking.”
