Each year, the Associated Press and the NFL determine which coaches outperformed their counterparts enough to win the prestigious Coach of the Year award. Earlier today, the AP released a list of head coach and assistant head coach finalists for this award, and Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn was on the list.
Quinn is in his first season as head coach of the Commanders, although it is not his first time in the position. He rose to prominence as the defensive coordinator of the Seattle Seahawks, where he was credited with creating a Cover 3 defense that included the Legion of Boom secondary. He then served as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons and then defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys before landing in Washington.
This year, the Commanders were only expected to win six games, after just four in 2023. Expectations were low and it took fans months to believe this team was for real after decades of losing seasons. But here we are: The Commanders have won 14 games (two in the playoffs) and are headed to the NFC Championship Game for the first time in over thirty years.
Quinn is no stranger to the playoffs, having been part of the Seattle and Atlanta teams that went to the Super Bowl, and that experience is what is helping his team get through these postseasons. He should be a contender for this award, but he’s got some good company, so we’ll all have to wait and see what the powers that be decide.
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This article was originally published on Commanders Wire: Commanders’ Dan Quinn named AP Coach of the Year finalist
