The Washington Commanders finally locked down their head coach on Thursday when it was announced former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn would be the man in charge if turning the culture around under new owner Josh Harris and general manager Adam Peters.
Since Peters was hired, almost every reporter —both locally and nationally — had the Commanders attached to offensive coordinator Ben Johnson pegged as the next coach, but while the Washington brass was on the plane to Detroit, the 37-year-old OC said he was staying with the Lions.
So Washington went with Quinn, a proven leader who was responsible for Seattle’s “Legion Of Boom” and turning the Dallas Cowboys defense into one of the top units in the NFL over the last two seasons.
The Washington Commanders also liked Dan Quinn’s experience as a head coach, as he led the Atlanta Falcons to a Super Bowl in his four seasons as the head coach in the NFC South.
There’s also a thought this move could weaken the Dallas Cowboys, who have dominated Washington in recent history and will now have to scramble to replace Quinn as their DC.
Dan Quinn is likely to bring one of his assistants from Dallas to become the new Commanders defensive coordinator and DBs coach Al Harris has been a popular named that has been mentioned.
One of the reasons Johnson was such a popular name amongst fans is because Washington holds the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and is predicted to select one of the top quarterbacks available. Quinn is a great leader, a player’s coach, and defensive guru, but his offensive coordinator hire will be critical to help evaluate and develop the team’s hopeful next franchise QB.
Washington Commanders Interested In Former Eagles And UCLA Head Coach Chip Kelly As Their Next OC Under Dan Quinn
Quinn is known for his strong relationships — and looking back on is staff from when he was the head coach in Atlanta — several former assistants are now head coaches.
While the new Washington front man doesn’t have to rush in selecting a new OC, expect him to look at NFL assistants, college coaches and potentially recent offensive-minded head coaches that may have sat a year or two out of the league.
ESPN‘S Jeremy Fowler reported former Eagles (2013-2015, 49ers (2016), and most recently UCLA head coach Chip Kelly is considered a candidate for the Washington Commanders OC vacancy under Dan Quinn.
UCLA head coach Chip Kelly is a potential candidate for #Commanders OC under new head coach Dan Quinn, per sources. Kelly, a two-time NFL head coach, is believed to have interest in returning to the league and Washington will consider talking with him.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 2, 2024
After earning multiple awards and honors including Pac-12 Coach of the Year twice during his time with the Oregon Ducks, the innovative offensive mind took over the Eagles job following the departure of Andy Reid.
In his first NFL season, Kelly reversed the Eagles’ fortunes of the previous year. Taking over a team that went 4–12 in 2012, Reid’s last year, Kelly led the Eagles to a 10–6 record and the NFC Eastern Division Championship, becoming just the second head coach in league history to win a division title in his first season in the NFL. They lost in the first round of the NFC playoffs.
Chip Kelly and the Eagles posted another (10-6) record the following season, but didn’t reach the postseason.
On December 29, 2015, with the Eagles at 6–9, Kelly was fired before the final regular season game, in a statement made by owner Jeffrie Lurie. He was hired to take over the 49ers after Jim Harbuagh lasted just one season.
Since 2018, Chip Kelly has been tasked with rebuilding the UCLA Bruins into a steady contender. They have steadily improved under his leadership. In 2022, UCLA began the season 5–0 for the first time since 2013,[and finished 9–4 (6–3 in the Pac-12) with a 37–35 loss to Pittsburgh in the Sun Bowl on a last-second field goal by the Panthers. The Bruins were ranked No. 21 in the final polls.
UCLA finished (8-5) in 2023.
