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Even He’s a Veteran Coach, DAN QUINN’s Unlikely Turnaround with Washington Commanders Stuns the NFL
Even though he’s a veteran NFL coach, Anthony Lynn still brings a notebook and pen to weekly team meetings. The Washington Commanders run game coordinator never knows when longtime friend and head coach Dan Quinn will drop a few words of wisdom he might want to reflect on later. “This stuff doesn’t happen by accident,” Lynn said regarding Washington’s improbable turnaround. “He does a really good job of keeping [the players’] attention and articulating the vision of this brotherhood and trust for one another. And he’s constantly emphasizing it.”
This season, the Commanders went 4-13, and the team hadn’t had a winning record since 2016. On Sunday, they will play the Philadelphia Eagles for a berth in the Super Bowl. “The [Commanders] were viewed as a joke, let’s just be honest,” said an opposing coach who asked not to be identified. “And in an instant, he got the franchise back on track, winning prime-time games and one win away from winning the Super Bowl.”
Quinn’s ability to create fresh messaging and authentically relate to players has been a key factor in his success. He balances a detailed, old-school approach with the communication skills he gleaned from Pete Carroll during his time as defensive coordinator with the Seattle Seahawks. “He’s the best culture-builder I’ve seen,” Lynn said of Quinn. “When he’s done with the NFL, he can just travel and teach people how to build good cultures, because he does that very well. And it just comes so natural to him. It’s something he has a passion for. You can see it. And I think that authenticity is what makes guys trust him and buy in so fast.”
Quinn’s passion for building culture is what sets him apart, and it’s what has led to Washington’s resurgence. His staff is also filled with experienced coaches, including former head coaches like Kliff Kingsbury and himself, and former players like Bobby Engram and Darryl Tapp. This collection of coaches has helped Quinn build a team that is both tough and disciplined.
Washington’s success can also be attributed to the team’s young players, including quarterback Jayden Daniels, who was selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 draft. Daniels has been a revelation, playing with an efficiency and poise that is rare for a rookie quarterback.
As the Commanders get ready to face the Eagles for a third time this season, Quinn will need to have his team prepared to shock the NFL once again. “We have a saying: ‘Anybody, any place, any time,'” Lynn said. “That’s how we feel.”
