Tag: mark ein

Dan Quinn was always Adam Peters’ first choice for Commanders

The owner confirms Quinn was always the guy Adam Peters wanted.

Happy Anniversary, Commanders fans! Yes, it’s an anniversary worth celebrating. The Harris Ownership Group rescued the organization and the fan base from the Snyder regime (1999-2023) one year ago, on July 20, 2023.

Mark Ein, in an appearance with Kevin Sheehan on his podcast Saturday, stated that there were good people in the organization when the purchase was made. However, you still need some fresh people and fresh energy to come into a situation like that.

Adam Peters was considered the top candidate for a GM job this offseason. So Josh Harris pursued Peters, and Peters wanted to come here. It was done quickly.

Many will recall Ben Johnson as the Commanders’ front-runner for the head coaching job, with Mike Macdonald as the clear second choice.

You recall the Commanders’ brass en route to Detroit to interview the Lions’ OC Ben Johnson and DC Aaron Glenn. Then, they were going to interview Macdonald a second time as well. But suddenly, neither were coming to Ashburn to take the job.

Consequently, the fan base was discouraged and frustrated that the Commanders were the last team standing, having to settle for a candidate other hiring teams rejected.

But Ein refutes that narrative, saying, “He (Quinn) was Adam’s first choice from the beginning. He was the person he wanted. Because he (Peters) felt Quinn paired with him was the best combination. Adam never waivered from thinking Dan was the person he wanted.”

“I didn’t interview him, so I didn’t meet him. But just talking to Josh and the guys while they were doing it, that was the thing from the first interview. If you want to transform a culture, there’s not going to be anyone better than Dan Quinn. If you want to inject energy into an organization, there is no one better than Dan Quinn. And he is (thus far) proving that to be the case.”

Quinn (age 53) brings something to the market that only one new coach (Jim Harbaugh) brings. Some very high winning success as an NFL head coach. Quinn was the defensive coordinator in Seattle for two seasons 2013-14 before moving to Atlanta, where he was head coach from 2015-20, winning the NFC Title before losing in the Super Bowl.

Quinn, the defensive coordinator for the last three seasons in Dallas (2021-23), was voted the AP Assistant Coach of the Year for 2021.

The plan to buy the Commanders began 5 minutes after Dan Snyder announced his intentions

Commanders minority owner Mark Ein reveals when the plan to buy the franchise began.

Did you know that only five minutes after the announcement that Dan Snyder was going to sell, the mission to purchase the Commanders was begun?

Yes, the Josh Harris Ownership Group (HOG) couldn’t close the acquisition of the Washington Commanders until July 2023. Yet, so much hard work and perspiration went into finally purchasing the team away from Snyder.

Mark Ein, who was born in Chevy Chase, MD, and is a lifelong fan of the Redskins (now Commanders), was a guest on the “Kevin Sheehan Show” podcast Saturday.

Ein told Sheehan that he and Harris, who were childhood friends, were actually together this week, marveling that it had already been a year since the NFL finally approved the purchase on July 20, 2023.

“Most deals of this size or complexity are not easy,” began Ein. This one had some unique components, as everyone can imagine. But you have to bring a lot of people together to pay the highest price ever for a sports franchise.”

When Sheehan asked Ein if he ever thought they would be unable to finalize the purchase, Ein didn’t hesitate to say, “Oh, sure. I mean, this started five minutes after the news hit the wire.”

“Which news, Mark?” inquired Sheehan.

“The news that Dan was really going to sell…literally within five minutes of the announcement, I texted Josh and said we have got to do this. It started then (November) and closed in July, so that is how long it took.”

Ein said that throughout the process, there were “lots of moments where it looked like it was not going to happen.”

“Our view was this franchise matters almost as much as anything in the community that we grew up in and love. With people who are deeply connected and committed to the community, there was an opportunity, and really a need for that set of people to come in and take it over and build it to the franchise we loved as kids.”

Ein is absolutely correct.

The franchise needed to be rescued.

They were rescued from not only being a losing NFL team on the field but also from those running the business side of the franchise who didn’t know what they were doing.

Thank you, Mark Ein, for taking the initiative, and thank you to the Harris Ownership Group for seizing the opportunity to bring this franchise back from the depths.

 

Commanders held a family picnic after conclusion of minicamp

Washington finishes minicamp with a picnic for players, staff and their families.

Remember when Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris said, “I’m not an F- guy?” Harris said this in response to the organization’s NFLPA grades, which showed the Commanders at the bottom of the league in several categories, one of which was the treatment of player families.

Washington’s new leadership group is much different from any it had in the past. It begins with the ownership group, led by Harris but including minority owners Mark Ein, Mitch Rales, Magic Johnson, David Blitzer, and others.

Harris then hired Adam Peters as general manager and Dan Quinn as head coach. Both were known for being great at their jobs but even better human beings that others wanted to work with and play for.

The Commanders concluded their three-day mandatory minicamp on Thursday, and afterward, the organization held a picnic for the players, staff and their families. Ein confirmed this on X.

It’s important to note that Harris and Ein didn’t hold a picnic because of Washington’s NFLPA rankings. This is who they are. This is who Quinn and Peters are. They treat people right. That’s why players love being at the team facility these days.

This isn’t to knock some of Washington’s other coaches in the past. They weren’t always the problem. The problem always started at the top with the former owner. Harris and his partners are not only good people and successful businessmen, but they treat people right and understand the value of family.

After the picnic, the offseason officially ended. The team has six weeks off before reporting back to Ashburn next month for training camp. In past years, players would talk of exotic vacations and wanting to be anywhere but Ashburn, but the tide is changing because of Washington’s current ownership and management.

While some grades, such as the stadium and team facilities, will still likely be lower than ownership wants due to no fault of their own, you can bet those grades will be much higher on the personal side of things next time.

Commanders owner Josh Harris thought Jeff Bezos would outbid him for the team

Josh Harris thought Jeff Bezos would win the bidding for the Commanders.

When former Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder finally put the team up for sale in November 2022, many believed Amazon founder Jeff Bezos would be the logical buyer. The NFL had gone into business with Amazon, and there were rumors that others wanted Bezos in the NFL’s inner circle. Additionally, Bezos owned a home in D.C. and The Washington Post.

You can count Josh Harris, the eventual winner of the Commanders’ bidding process, among those who believed Bezos would own the team.

“When the Commanders were potentially for sale, it started at 26North, and I had moved on, and my friend Mark Ein, who is sitting in the audience there, said, ‘Come on, Josh, let’s look at the Commanders,'” Harris said at CNBC Ceo Council Summit.

“And I said, come on, I am not going to price the Commanders for Jeff Bezos. I’ve done this before, and we’re going to spend a lot of time and get outbid. And that started a whole process of first Mark nagging me, introducing me to Mitch Rales. We created this incredible group and ultimately went through a super-complicated process which I can go into, but basically, it’s one of the harder deals I’ve ever had to accomplish.”

Harris was referring to the process of needing a large group to buy the Commanders, which has led the NFL to rethink how team sales could go in the future.

Harris was a finalist to purchase the Denver Broncos in 2022 and was willing to pay $5 billion. However, he received no assurances and moved on before the Walton-Penner family bought the team. Harris later called that a blessing in disguise, as Washington was the team he grew up rooting for as a native of the area.

Here’s the full video of Harris’ appearance, courtesy of our friends at Hogs Haven.

Dan Quinn wanted the Commanders’ job before it was open

One source told a local radio host last month that Dan Quinn badly wanted the Washington job.

On Thursday, a local radio show host took great joy in being right about Dan Quinn being named the Commanders’ new head coach.

Chris Russell, the Team 980 host (1-4 pm, M-F), began his show with a bang. “We have something to be excited about!” Russell howled. “The Commanders have hired themselves a great head coach! That a boy, Adam Peters! That a boy, Josh (Harris), Magic (Johnson), Mark Ein, Mitchell Rales!”

Russell then reminded his listeners that he needed to be honest, admitting that Raheem Morris was his first choice when the process was launched. “Raheem Morris was No. 1 on my list. But Dan Quinn, as soon as Raheem Morris was off of the board, was the guy that I was hoping would get this job.”

“I told you guys, the day after the Dallas Cowboys game, the final game of the season, that I was told by someone in the Dallas Cowboys organization that Dan Quinn wanted this job and was very eagerly anticipating a call from the Commanders. He got it the next morning and wanted this job in the worst way.”

“Yelling into his microphone, Russell continued, “Boy Wonder, Ben Johnson did not want the job! The hell with him! Mike Macdonald didn’t want the job! The hell with him!”

“Dan Quinn wanted the job! (He) was aching to be the head coach of the Washington Commanders! And yet, some of you are already poo-pooing that, like you got a piece of discarded trash! People, adjust your prism. That’s absurd.”

Russell then reminded his listeners who were criticizing Quinn’s hiring that Quinn did not come to the Commanders because he would have all the power. He is not; he is working for Adam Peters, the GM.

The afternoon host then reminded his listeners that Quinn has much experience, having won an NFC Championship with Atlanta and gone 10-6, winning a playoff game the year after offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s departure.

His opening closed with Russell challenging his callers to call him and say why they do NOT believe in second chances for Dan Quinn when they certainly believe in second chances for themselves and their family.

Commanders Wire welcomes Dan Quinn to the Commanders. Hope you can get this thing turned around and enjoy a decade of success here, Dan.

Commanders owners, including Magic Johnson react to big road win

Magic and Mark Ein excited about the 2-0 Commanders.

The Washington Commanders went on the road for the first time in the 2023 NFL season Sunday and picked up a massive 35-33 win over the Denver Broncos.

The Commanders trailed 21-3 in the second quarter before slowly mounting a comeback before halftime. Washington tied the game early in the third quarter and finally took the lead in the fourth quarter. The Commanders would never look back and are 2-0 for the first time since 2011.

After the game, Commanders’ minority partner, Magic Johnson, took to Twitter to express his excitement over Washington’s comeback win.

Johnson was so excited he had another tweet.

It still seems strange to see a sports and business icon like Johnson refer to Washington as “my Commanders.”

Johnson wasn’t the only minority partner to react, as Mark Ein also chimed in on the win.

The Commanders return home to FedEx Field for the next two games against one of the NFL’s best, the Buffalo Bills. It will be exciting to see if the home fans resembles the Week 1 crowd.

Magic Johnson reacts to the Commanders’ Week 1 win

The NBA legend and minority owner enjoyed his first Commanders’ game.

It was a celebratory day at FedEx Field. The Washington Commanders kicked off a new era. New managing partner Josh Harris led the way with several of his minority partners, which included Magic Johnson, Mitchell Rales and Mark Ein.

For a while during Sunday’s game, it looked like the Commanders might disappoint everyone. However, a stellar defensive effort and a Sam Howell touchdown run clinched the game for Washington.

The sold-out crowd at FedEx Field was ecstatic. So were Washington’s new owners.

Johnson took to Twitter to talk about the experience for him and his wife, Cookie.

Ein took to Twitter before Sunday’s game to thank the fans and community.

It was a landmark day for the Washington Commanders. The true dawn of a new era.

LOOK: Josh Harris is at the Commanders’ preseason game; in the stands

Washington’s owner had a unique seat for the preseason opener.

In his first game as owner of the Washington Commanders, Josh Harris was in Cleveland to support his team. Harris and minority partners Mitchell Rales and Mark Ein were all in Ohio to support the Commanders in their preseason opener Friday against the Cleveland Browns.

It’s not a surprise that Harris and some of his partners were in town. Harris, flanked by his son, was seen on Washington’s sidelines speaking with team executive Marty Hurney.

Once the game began — after a weather delay of over an hour — you’d expect Harris to take his seat in the press box.

Not Harris.

In no way would the previous owner have sat in the stands amongst the fans, whether it was behind Washington’s bench or not.

In case you missed Rales and Ein, here they are on the field ahead of the game.

Jason Wright says a name change isn’t ‘a topic of conversation this week’

Wright named Washington’s immediate priorities, following the lead of Josh Harris and the other minority owners.

Since Josh Harris officially took over as the new owner of the Washington Commanders two weeks ago, the topic of another name change will not go away.

Minority owner Magic Johnson said in an interview on the TODAY Show that “everything is on the table.” Harris was asked multiple times about the name, and his response was it doesn’t matter what he thinks; it matters what the fans think.

Finally, another minority owner, Harris’ close friend Mark Ein — who, like Harris, is a longtime Washington fan — was asked about the name. Ein acknowledged it’s a problem for fans. All three stopped short of saying there would be a name change, and it certainly wasn’t going to happen anytime soon. The primary focus of Washington is on the 2023 NFL season, improving FedEx Field and the fan experience.

On Wednesday, in an appearance on “Up and Adams” with Kay Adams of FanDuel TV, team president Jason Wright was asked about a potential name change.

Wright, like the three owners, went into detail about the franchise’s immediate priorities. After Wright listed those priorities, Adams followed up: “So, it’s not been talked about?” referring to the name change.

Wright’s answer was brief and to the point:

“It’s not been a topic of conversation this week.”

Wright played a central role in rebranding Washington as the Commanders.

Much like Harris, Johnson and Ein, Wright named the areas of immediate focus for the new ownership. And they all center on the upcoming season, the fan experience and the community.

It’s clear that Harris wants everyone on the same page about the franchise’s immediate priorities while not ruling out anything down the road.

The name change debate continues to be a divisive topic among Washington’s fan base. Some hate the name; others just want to move on and focus solely on football. Regardless of what eventually happens, new ownership is definitely paying attention.

You can watch the full interview here:

Commanders limited partner Mark Ein talks team’s name

Ein acknowledges the name is an issue people are passionate about.

The last thing some Washington fans want to contemplate is another name change. Since July 2020, the storied NFL franchise has undergone three name changes before settling on the “Commanders” in Feb. 2022.

To say the name is divisive would be an understatement. There is a large segment of the fan base who hate the name. Some believe it feels like an expansion team with the name and uniforms. Others feel like it’s the last stench of former owner Dan Snyder. Finally, some are just thrilled Snyder is gone and want to focus on football — not another name change.

No one is wrong.

The talk about the name has increased in recent weeks, with new ownership mentioning “Redskins” on multiple occasions. Even head coach Ron Rivera was asked about so many recent mentions of the old name. Majority owner Josh Harris has been asked about the name, simply saying, it doesn’t matter what he thinks about it; it matters what the fans think.

As Adam Schefter told Harris on his podcast,” They don’t like the name.”

Then there was limited partner Magic Johnson saying “everything is on the table,” during an appearance on the TODAY Show.

Many believe that Johnson and Harris not shutting down talk of the name means they are considering another rebranding — just not anytime soon.

Since taking over so close to the season, Harris and his partners have made it clear that the 2023 season, fan experience and improving FedEx Field were the top priorities. There are also talks for a new stadium. It’s a busy time for Harris, Mitchell Rales, Johnson, David Blitzer and Mark Ein.

Speaking of Ein, Harris’ lifelong friend — and minority partner — he was a recent guest on “The Kevin Sheehan Show” on Team 980.

Sheehan asked Ein about the name change Monday.

“We live here, so we know it’s been an issue that people are really passionate about, and it’s been out there for quite a while,” Ein said per Lou DiPietro of Audacy. “It feels like it’s accelerated a bit since we took over, but it’s complicated. We have a lot of other things in the short-term that we want to focus and deliver on.”

Again, Ein didn’t shut down the talk of a name change but made no promises. That’s exactly how he should handle it. Washington’s new owners do understand the divisive nature of the name. Whether or not it will change again is an issue for down the road. One thing is certain; if there is a name change, it’s not going to be anytime soon.

It’s all about the 2023 NFL season. Then, as Magic Johnson said, “Everything is on the table.”