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NFL Coach Power Rankings: Where Jay Gruden fits in among the 32 coaches

By Jacob Camenker

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 29: Head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins talks with quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter of a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/ Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 29: Head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins talks with quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter of a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/ Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 06: Head coach Dan Quinn of the Atlanta Falcons reacts from the sidelines during the second quarter of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Coliseum on January 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 06: Head coach Dan Quinn of the Atlanta Falcons reacts from the sidelines during the second quarter of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Coliseum on January 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Head Coach. Atlanta Falcons. Dan Quinn. 6. player. 44.

Since joining the Atlanta Falcons as their head coach in 2015, Dan Quinn has been one of the more unheralded coaches in the NFL. Quinn got credit for leading the Falcons to the Super Bowl in 2016, but his impact has gone beyond that season and has set up the Falcons for long-term success.

Quinn was hired over from the Seahawks staff in hopes of rebuilding the Falcons defense. Their stop unit had long been mediocre, and the front office decided it was time that they change that. By adding Quinn, they ensured that they would be importing the defensive system he used in Seattle in Atlanta. And that arrangement has worked out well.

Since Quinn’s arrival, the Falcons have invested in numerous pieces on the defensive front in hopes of improving. And they definitely did. In 2017, they had a top 10 defense in both yardage allowed and scoring, and they saw a lot of their young players make an impact. Notably, Vic Beasley, Grady Jarrett, De’Vondre Campbell, Deion Jones, and Keanu Neal have made their presence felt. All were picked after Quinn arrived in Atlanta, as they were meant to mimick the solid system he had in Seattle.

Beyond that, Quinn made the right move by adding Kyle Shanahan to his initial staff. Shanahan brought the Falcons offense to new levels by turn Matt Ryan into a league MVP and working with the running backs to create a strong tandem. On both sides of the ball, the Falcons have a lot of talent, and that is partly thanks to the influence and developmental ability of Quinn and his coaching staff.

Of course, there are a couple of concerns with Quinn. The first was mentioned earlier when analyzing Shanahan as the 49ers coach. How did the Falcons blow a 25 point lead in the Super Bowl? Whatever happened that allowed that has to be partially the fault of the coaching staff, and Quinn deserves blame for it. Sure, it was great they got there. But not finishing it was brutal.

Also, the hiring of Steve Sarkisian as the replacement for Shanahan as offensive coordinator was questionable. Sarkisian seemed like an odd fit, after just spending a single game as Alabama’s offensive coordinator in his NCAA comeback, and it proved to be true as Ryan badly regressed in 2017. Perhaps with another season, Sarkisian can make an impact. But for now, that move is questionable.

Quinn is still one of the better head coaches in the league. He has a 29-19 record and a 3-2 mark in the playoffs, winning at least a game each time he’s gotten in. And, he knows how to develop talent. With a veteran team and more coaching experience under his belt, Quinn will have a chance at making some noise in the NFC, if he can survive the loaded NFC South.

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