Commanders' Dan Quinn Return to Head Coaching: 'I Had A Blast!'

For the last three seasons, Washington Commanders coach Dan Quinn has been the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys. Even as a head coach in Atlanta, he called the defenses. A method that got his team to the Super Bowl.

In his second stint as a head coach, however, Quinn is doing things differently. On Tuesday he opened up about one of the biggest game day changes he’s making this year as he turns the defensive calls over to coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.

“I had a blast," Quinn said. "In the preseason it can get a little trickier because you're also thinking who's out, who's in to make sure the substitutions that we had set up to go. I like being part of the decision-making process. Game management, go for, if we get fourth and one here, we'll go. If it goes to this part of the field, we'll punt.”

Handing over the defensive duties to Whitt allows Quinn to manage the game a little more evenly and focus on the things that are important in the moment, and mentally prepare for what could happen 2-5 plays later. Managing game situations properly is what can make or break a coach in the NFL.

“Most of the decisions for me were game and clock management decisions to hit on,” Quinn continued. “It was good practice for me honestly, to be into that space. I hear the calls on both sides, so that part felt like it should.

“And I think Joe had a good rhythm of what he wanted to do. But yeah, more than anything it was just good to get back into the rhythm.”

Related: Commanders' Jayden Daniels Wins Rookie of the Year?

It’s hard to be self-aware enough to give up control over something you’ve been in control of for over a decade. From the Seattle Seahawks to the Atlanta Falcons, to the Cowboys and now the Commanders, Quinn has evolved as a person and a coach.

Knowing when to loosen the reigns on the people he trusts to do the job is a huge step for him and the franchise.

It’s a new Quinn in a new era of Commanders football, and we are here for it.