Dan Quinn wasn't everyone's first choice to be Washington Commanders head coach. It didn't take long to realize he was the right man for the job.
What Quinn has managed to do with this perennial struggler in such a short timeframe is remarkable. The respected figure came into the franchise and immediately began putting his previous experience and outstanding connections to good use. He hired an exceptional staff team - many of whom he'd worked with previously. He also set about completely shifting the locker room culture.
There was nothing flashy about Quinn's methods. He centered his attention on players building relationships. Forming a brotherhood capable of sticking together through the good times and bad. There's trust in the coaching strategies being deployed. His focus is on ensuring everyone is capable of executing them.
The results were instant.
Washington went from a bottom feeder to potential postseason challenger in the blink of an eye. Quinn masterminded a magnificent turnaround thanks to improved energy and supreme decisiveness no matter the on-field situation.
Everyone believes again. Quinn deserves his share of plaudits. It's not the finished product just yet, but the Commanders are closer than many thought possible in Year 1 of this ambitious project.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn gets deserved plaudits from Pro Football Network
This remarkable start to his second opportunity didn't go unnoticed by Adam H. Beasley from Pro Football Network. The analyst acknowledged Quinn's outstanding leadership by naming him NFL Midseason Head Coach of the Year. He also thought this immediate success was sustainable looking at the team's solidified foundations.
"He has transformed a 13-loss 2023 Commanders team into a division-title contender. The Commanders needed just nine games to surpass their preseason win total line (6.5). They have consistently exceeded expectations, going 7-2-1 against the spread. And Quinn has done it with a rookie quarterback (Jayden Daniels) and an offensive coordinator that took the job with an endless list of doubters (Kliff Kingsbury). Yet Quinn’s biggest impact has been unquantifiable. He’s helped change the vibe around a franchise that had been toxic for so long. Certainly, booting Dan Snyder to the curb helped. But a new owner with the same terrible product would not have re-energized a long-dormant fanbase. Is it sustainable? It should be."Adam H. Beasley, PFN
Looking at Washington's games down the stretch, there's a chance to build additional momentum and go into the playoffs on a high. Most people thought the Commanders would improve in some capacity under Quinn's exceptional guidance. Only the brave were predicting playoff football and a potential NFC East title challenge.
It's not hard to see why Quinn was high on Washington's shortlist to replace Ron Rivera. He's a leader of men. He does a great job of finding the right balance between stern words and an arm around the shoulder of his players. He allows them to self-police the locker room and makes the right adjustments in-game depending on the situation.
That's exactly what the Commanders were looking for to kickstart their exciting new era.
What the rest of 2024 looks like for Washington remains to be seen. They've proven capable of hanging with everybody, so nobody will be looking forward to facing them if postseason football is attained.
After that, anything is possible. That's thanks in no small part to Quinn's influence.