After three years at the helm of a top-five defense, Dan Quinn is leaving the Dallas Cowboys. From 2021 through 2023, the Cowboys defense ranked 7th, 6th and 5th in points allowed. They ranked 4th, 4th, 5th in DVOA, a metric that takes into account both opponent quality and game situation. And now, the unit will be looking for a new leader.
There was one opening remaining in the NFL, and one opportunity left for Dan Quinn to return to the head coaching ranks. On Thursday, that came to fruition as the Cowboys defensive coordinator was announced as the new leader of the NFC East rival Washington Commanders.
READ: 3 Internal Candidates to replace Dan Quinn as Cowboys DC
Sources: The #Commanders have found their new coach, as owner Josh Harris is set to hire #Cowboys DC Dan Quinn as head coach.
Quinn gets his second NFL HC gig, but not with the #Seahawks as many expected. He lands in Washington. pic.twitter.com/VIibENwBIv
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 1, 2024
Quinn is known as a fiery leader who players adore, and that seems to be what the new regime in Washington was looking for.
It remains to be seen which assistants Quinn will take with him to Washington, and whether or not Dallas looks outside the organization or promotes someone internally to serve as the coordinator for Mike McCarthy.
McCarthy is entering his fifth season as the head coach in Dallas, without a contract extension that guarantees him anything beyond 2024. And now that job will be with a new voice leading his defense.