It's hard to put the correct perspective on the impact Dan Quinn has made on the Washington Commanders in a short timeframe. He wasn't every fan's first choice to become head coach. He might not have been the owner's, either. Nobody can deny that he wasn't the right man to spearhead this ambitious project.
Quinn completely galvanized the revamped locker room. He brought in coaches with proven credentials and kept a couple around who showed promise from the previous regime. These positive signs were apparent during the offseason and have continued into a competitive setting as the Commanders sit at 6-2 through their opening eight games of the campaign.
There is a strong culture in place. Quinn focused on building relationships first. Forming a brotherhood and getting everyone pulling for each other with one common goal in mind. There's a long way to go and many twists to come, but the early signs couldn't be more encouraging.
Things are not going so well for the team he left behind. The Dallas Cowboys are going through significant turmoil, especially on defense. Quinn was labeled the scapegoat following their heavy home playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers. However, the ex-defensive coordinator was far from their biggest problem.
Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs laud Commanders head coach Dan Quinn
Trevon Diggs signaled Quinn's special qualities during an appearance on Micah Parsons' podcast following Washington's miraculous triumph over the Chicago Bears. The All-Pro cornerback cited the coach's ability to instill belief in his players, earn their complete trust, and mold them into a complete unit.
It’ll be about confidence, bro. Your coach putting that confidence in you, and he putting that battery in your back, you gonna go, every single time. You gotta have that coach that stands by you. He had me ready to run through a wall; he’s just a genuine person. They don’t got like superstars, you know. But they play as a team. They play hard for one another. They look good.Trevon Diggs via USA Today Sports
This was a sentiment echoed by Parsons. The edge rusher highlighted Quinn's infectious energy as a rare trait that everyone around him feeds off positively. Something the Cowboys are not necessarily getting from his replacement Mike Zimmer.
People don’t realize how high morale he had the team. The spirit he gave the defense. The energy, what he kinda gave all the players. Shark week, fight night, showing us boxing clips of MFers getting knocked out. I see it from that Commanders team now.Micah Parsons via USA Today Sports
Sounds like the Cowboys are missing Quinn's presence. Not that anyone associated with the Commanders will care.
Dallas' loss is Washington's gain. Adam Peters and Josh Harris always had Quinn high on their shortlist. They felt the leadership qualities coupled with the esteem in which is held around the league could assist greatly. Fans were cautiously optimistic, but it's going much better than even the brightest optimist envisaged.
How the Cowboys wish they had Quinn leading the charge right now. Not just as their defensive coordinator, but as someone who could do a far more competent job than head coach Mike McCarthy is currently accomplishing.
If the same trend continues, this is not going to look favorably on Jerry Jones. But again, there will be no tears shed in Washington about that.
