In a fiery display of enthusiasm, Dan Quinn, the newly appointed head coach of the Washington Commanders, set the tone for his tenure during the opening press conference. Quinn, who recently left the Dallas Cowboys, expressed his excitement for the challenge of rebuilding the struggling NFC East team.
“I’m going to give myself a little grace and allow one swear word here because I’ve done a good job so far, I haven’t had any, and I swear a lot. But there is nothing I enjoy more than doing hard s— with good people. And these guys here, they’re some really good people,” Quinn exclaimed during his introduction.
Commanders Dan Quinn Press Conference
Amidst the coaching search drama, Quinn emphasized his commitment to assembling a team of “good people” to support the Commanders. Drawing parallels to his past decisions, Quinn likened hiring Kliff Kingsbury as offensive coordinator to his choice of Kyle Shanahan during his time with the Atlanta Falcons.
“Shanahan was hard to go against. … Going against Kliff, you had those same feelings,” Quinn stated, highlighting his strategic approach to building a formidable coaching staff (Yardbarker).
Quinn also addressed the Commanders’ offensive coordinator situation, revealing that the team would be parting ways with Eric Bieniemy. The new hire for this critical role is Kliff Kingsbury, previously with the Arizona Cardinals. Quinn’s decision to bring Kingsbury on board reflects his confidence in the offensive coordinator’s abilities and the desire for a fresh perspective.
Defensive Overhaul
The Commanders, plagued by defensive struggles in the previous season, took a significant step towards improvement by appointing Joe Whitt Jr. as the defensive coordinator. Whitt, who worked with Quinn during their time with the Cowboys, is expected to bring a new dimension to Washington’s defense.
Quinn acknowledged the challenges the Commanders’ defense faced in 2023, finishing last in both points and yards allowed. The duo of Quinn and Whitt aims to turn the tide and establish a formidable defensive unit.
Head Coach Dan Quinn Answers Biggest Questions In Opening Press Conference
Quinn, known for his emphasis on an “explosive and physical” style of play, shared his vision for the Commanders. He wants his players to adopt a new attitude, reminiscent of the transformation he achieved with Matt Ryan during their time together.
“I can remember Matt Ryan, after my first year together, he said, ‘I felt like I got traded, but I went back to the same building,’ and I thought to myself, ‘Good job,'” Quinn reminisced, emphasizing the impact he aims to have on his players.
Play Calling Distribution
In a move to optimize team management, Quinn revealed the distribution of play-calling responsibilities. “Joe will call the plays on defense and Kliff will call the plays on offense. I’ll certainly be there. The game management part is so critical, so I wanted to be sure the best version of me is coaching the entire team,” Quinn clarified.
As the Commanders embark on a new era under Dan Quinn’s leadership, the excitement and energy generated during the opening press conference signal a promising start. With strategic coaching hires and a commitment to revitalizing both offense and defense, Washington fans have reason to anticipate a transformative season ahead.