The Washington Commanders have an agreement with Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to hire him as coach, according to two people with knowledge of the decision.
The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because the team had not yet announced the move. Eight NFL teams have hired new coaches since the regular season ended in early January, and Washington was the last to do so.
Quinn, 53, spent the past three seasons running the defense for the Cowboys — an NFC East Division rival of the Commanders — after five-plus seasons as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. Quinn coached the Falcons to a Super Bowl appearance in 2016 before being fired after an 0-5 start in 2020.
He became Washington’s choice after Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, considered a top candidate, told teams Tuesday he was staying with his current team and the Seattle Seahawks hired Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald on Wednesday.
Commanders owner Josh Harris, new general manager and head of football operations Adam Peters and Quinn give the organization a much-desired new approach after four years of Ron Rivera in charge of everything turned out to be a disappointment. Harris was committed to splitting the personnel and coaching duties this time around.