The Washington Commanders have requested permission to interview at least seven assistant coaches for their vacant head coaching position. The list could grow after the Commanders hired former 49ers assistant GM Adam Peters as their new general manager.
The only name known to have interviewed with Washington thus far is Ravens associate head coach/defensive line coach Anthony Weaver. The Commanders also requested permission to interview Baltimore defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald, but it isn’t known if that meeting has occurred yet.
Washington spoke with Weaver last week because the Ravens are on a bye for this week’s wild-card round of the playoffs. The Commanders can speak to the rest of the candidates after the wild-card round this week.
One of the coaches Washington requested permission to interview is Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. Quinn, 53, made his name as a defensive line coach for multiple teams before ascending to the role of defensive coordinator of the Seattle Seahawks in 2013. After helping lead the Seahawks to a Super Bowl championship, Quinn took a head coaching position with the Atlanta Falcons.
In five-plus seasons as head coach of the Falcons, Quinn finished with a record of 43-42 before he was fired in 2020. He did guide Atlanta to a Super Bowl appearance in 2016 before the Falcons blew the largest lead in Super Bowl history and lost to the Patriots.
In 2021, Quinn became the Cowboys defensive coordinator. His defenses have been outstanding, and after each season, he’s received requests to interview for other head coaching opportunities. He’s chosen to remain in Dallas.
Will that change this time around?
According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, Quinn is a serious contender for Washington’s head coaching vacancy. While Pelissero noted that Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is believed to be atop Peters’ wish list, Quinn “is another name to watch in Washington.”
Pelissero said that Quinn’s previous head coaching experience could be valuable coming to a place where there is a first-time GM.
The Insiders on @NFLGameDay: #Eagles WR AJ Brown (knee) is out this week, but could play next week; The #Commanders are eyeing Ben Johnson and Dan Quinn; #Texans OC Bobby Slowik has four requests as his star rises. pic.twitter.com/INtd1SXzR8
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 13, 2024
Could Washington hire away Mike McCarthy’s most valuable assistant? Quinn has completely transformed the Cowboys defense since arriving in 2021. Dallas is always among the league leaders in forced turnovers and sacks — areas in which Washington has struggled recently.
If the Commanders hired Quinn, the key would be who he would hire as offensive coordinator. Washington is expected to take a quarterback at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL draft, and that QB’s development will be a priority for the franchise.