ASHBURN, Va. — Building an NFL coaching staff is tough. Having everyone work together in harmony can be even more challenging. Head coach Dan Quinn has put the pieces together as the Washington Commanders prepare for what could be a transformative season for the franchise.
This is Quinn's second stint as a head coach. He spent six years with the Atlanta Falcons, which included a trip to the Super Bowl. Now he's ready to lead the charge again after spending three years as a defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys.
He admitted that being a head coach again took some adjusting in the preseason.
"In the first game I was worried about who's in, who's out. In the preseason there's so much subbing. Who's in? Who's going out? Going into games two and three I was pretty intentional about making sure I was into that space. Knowing the clarity that I needed for Kliff [Kingsbury] and Joe [Whitt Jr.] and for Larry [Izzo]. I really was intentional about that," Quinn said.
DQ, as he's known on the field, has some help. He brought special teams coordinator Izzo over from their time together in Seattle, along with a couple of guys who have been head coaches in the league in Anthony Lynn and Kliff Kingsbury.
"It's helped a lot having guys like Anthony and Kliff because they've sat in the chair. That is a real advantage. I asked for that kind of communication back from the staff, sometimes it takes awhile for someone to get there, but then you can say, 'Man, I really appreciate that feedback,'" Quinn said.
Although how you deliver feedback can be key.
"Very lightly," Kingsbury said. "I'll say that ... You definitely have different perspectives after you've sat there and then are back as an assistant. You definitely want to be the best possible assistant you can be and keep things off his desk."
His staff knows the head coach well.
"Let's not ever confuse DQ's being such a great person with not being very demanding. He is a demanding, demanding coach. Also, he allows you to coach, OK? Some guys don't allow you to do what you do best, and he does," said Whitt Jr.
Kingsbury agrees.
"Good day, bad day — all he asks from his team and his staff is that you bring it every day. You're going to have some moments where you don't do right and you make a mistake. That's not where he goes off. It's just if he doesn't think you're giving everything you got. That's been awesome to see," Kingsbury said.
Kingsbury also spotlighted a key part of Quinn's leadership style.
"The way he treats people and the way he shows it in the office each and every day lifts that place up. That's, to me, the greatest quality of a leader."