The HC Dan Quinn Discussion Thread

[method man]

A couple/few of you want either Flores or Schwartz. Let's say we get neither due to reupping with their current teams or getting hired as new HC. More heads will roll after the season is over with other NFL teams hiring HCs.

Who comes to mind?

Patrick Graham?

If none of the names are available, then look at the defensive pass game coordinators on the league’s best defenses

 

[DWinzit]

Pretty sure Rivera and JDR can free themselves for the opportunity

 

[method man]

On Patrick Graham, he has survived 3 coaching staffs in Vegas. His defenses have been respectable with no real talent outside Crosby.

There’s been a dropoff this year but folks are pointing toward Carroll meddling and making him run a lot of Cover 3

 

[NoCalSkins]

How many coaches showing some consistent success currently (say over last 2-5 seasons) were coaches that failed somewhere previously vs young coaches who were given a chance in their promotion and made a HC quality name for themselves where they are now.

 

[RWJ]

Patrick Graham?

If none of the names are available, then look at the defensive pass game coordinators on the league’s best defenses

DQ gets this upcoming year to get things in order. Just my thoughts but if we finish below .500, we'll have a new HC in 2027. Guesstimating.

 

[RWJ]

If he's still available, Jeff Hafley from GB might be a good option in 2027. Yes, he has ties to SF and thus the SF connection between him and AP but I think he will make a good HC. That's for next year. DQ is lock, I think for 2026.

 

[method man]

DQ gets this upcoming year to get things in order. Just my thoughts but if we finish below .500, we'll have a new HC in 2027. Guesstimating.

I mentioned Graham as a DC option, not as a HC

 

[RWJ]

I mentioned Graham as a DC option, not as a HC

My bad, MM.

 

[Conn]

A perspective I mostly agree with

 

[McD5]

I've been fortunate enough to call Curt Cignetti Jr. one of my business partners, and now great friend for the last 5 years.

I'm going to officially begin the Cignetti to DC campaign tomorrow morning

His Dad is incredible, and he specializes in turning around the worst organizations in football. He'd be great here.

 

[RWJ]

I've been fortunate enough to call Curt Cignetti Jr. one of my business partners, and now great friend for the last 5 years.

I'm going to officially begin the Cignetti to DC campaign tomorrow morning

His Dad is incredible, and he specializes in turning around the worst organizations in football. He'd be great here.

Dude is no nonsense, brings the fire, let's get it done kind of HC.

 

[Bulldog]

The difference is Quinn stepped in quite a bit earlier to take over play calling.

Del Rio was allowed to run amok for some time before there was any re-evaluation.

Quinn is plugged in to what is going on, he may just not have put together the best staff, going with the familiar rather than younger guys with perhaps greater upside.

 

[Riggo44]

Interesting article by Reed from the WaPO: https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2026/01/02/commanders-exit-interviews/

Couple things stand out:

• "Even amid a miserable season, several players said the energy in the locker room has remained positive. Players from different position groups intermingle. Almost every day, there’s a card game in the middle of the locker room. They hang out outside of the building, interact with each other’s families and form bonds that extend beyond football. 'There’s a real — I’m not going to use the word brotherhood — friendship,' McLaurin said. 'I think that camaraderie has really allowed us to weather everything that we’ve been through this year.'"
• "Quinn has said he plans to reevaluate Washington’s entire operation this spring. Come OTAs, the starting point will be getting back to fundamentals...'That’s something that needs to be consistently reinforced like over and over and over again,' Quinn said. 'If that part of our play style is right, then I think a lot of other things can go. But when I feel that being turbulent, then I see the play being turbulent.'"
• Asked how the Commanders can get back on track in 2026, players offered wide-ranging answers. McLaurin hopes Washington turns up the physicality and competitiveness in training camp, proposing 'more scrimmage-style practices can allow for those more competitive game-like situations.'"

My takes from this article:
1. Quinn has not lost the room, despite what many want to believe, and he'll be very intent on fixing this mess. I think also you see Quinn's worth as a HC. He has kept the ship together in a hurricane, that's no easy task. When things are going well, it's easy to stay positive, not have in-fighting. But a season like this, it's real easy to have chaos in the locker room. That's not happening here.
2. 0.00% chance Whitt is here. He's gone, probably a number of the defensive staff too. This will not be a light hire, I don't think.
3. Everyone will be in camp, on-time. Tunsil's deal hopefully will come sooner, rather than later--but that's more a Peters' thing.
4. Much different OTA, Training Camp--I expect high attendance for OTAs and a very physical, pissed off training camp.

 

[Chris]

McLaurin hopes Washington turns up the physicality and competitiveness in training camp, proposing 'more scrimmage-style practices can allow for those more competitive game-like situations.'"

Or, you know, like actually taking part in training camp. 🤪

 

[DWinzit]

McLaurin hopes Washington turns up the physicality and competitiveness in training camp, proposing 'more scrimmage-style practices can allow for those more competitive game-like situations.'"

Or, you know, like actually taking part in training camp. 🤪

Bam.
Also where Terry said "I think that camaraderie has really allowed us to weather everything that we’ve been through this year.'", he didn't stir camaraderie sitting out of camp and not traveling for some of the games.

The brotherhood bond that was formed between the players sounds great in theory but feels more country clubish, especially with the card games in the locker room.

 

[Boone]

Bam.
Also where Terry said "I think that camaraderie has really allowed us to weather everything that we’ve been through this year.'", he didn't stir camaraderie sitting out of camp and not traveling for some of the games.

The brotherhood bond that was formed between the players sounds great in theory but feels more country clubish, especially with the card games in the locker room.

During the Super Bowl era, you had 'The 5 O'Clock Club' meeting in the equipment shed, smoking, pounding beers, and playing cards.

Somehow they overcame that momentous signs of softness and poor focus to win championships.

I love ya, but come on.

There may well be something to criticism of trying to bubble wrap starters in the offseason and preseason being a detriment to being ready for the 2025 season. I'm sure they are looking at it. But sometimes the simplest answer is most likely to be correct. Losing half your lineup to injury in a single season is that most likely explanation. There may be other factors, but I don't think you can overstate how hard it is to win with backup QBs and 2nd and 3rd stringers and PS players starting.

 

[DWinzit]

During the Super Bowl era, you had 'The 5 O'Clock Club' meeting in the equipment shed, smoking, pounding beers, and playing cards.

Somehow they overcame that momentous signs of softness and poor focus to win championships.

I love ya, but come on.

There may well be something to criticism of trying to bubble wrap starters in the offseason and preseason being a detriment to being ready for the 2025 season. I'm sure they are looking at it. But sometimes the simplest answer is most likely to be correct. Losing half your lineup to injury in a single season is that most likely explanation. There may be other factors, but I don't think you can overstate how hard it is to win with backup QBs and 2nd and 3rd stringers and PS players starting.

My point was more aimed towards some of Terry's decisions regarding his contract, how it ill affected the team and yet he is speaking of camaraderie.

AP and DQ went at the off-season with a softer touch, I am guessing that it was due to the success from 2024. They need to change that in the coming year and I expect they will 🤞 . I was not aware of the card games and don't know if there was more than just that happening that might have led to a softer environment in and around the locker room. There have been many circumstances where coaches looked on as players coaches have allowed way too much of a lax environment that spills to the field whether practice or games. They can lose respect of the players. Hope that hasn't occurred and won't

 

[Chris]

What I have heard is that players are hanging out together in the locker room and enjoying each others company after their work for the day is done, when they could high-tail it.

To me…that’s a positive.

 

[DWinzit]

What I have heard is that players are hanging out together in the locker room and enjoying each others company after their work for the day is done, when they could high-tail it.

To me…that’s a positive.

The players spending time together after hours is a giant positive!

 

[skinsinparadise]