WASHINGTON — Following the news of the Washington Commanders naming Dan Quinn as the new head coach, fan reactions are rolling in. From social media exclamations to on the street opinions, Washingtonians have been swift to speak their minds.
Quinn comes from the Dallas Cowboys where he was the Defensive Coordinator. He’s been in this position with the Cowboys for the last three seasons.
Thus far, there has been mixed reaction from football enthusiasts over the choice of Quinn, ranging from excitement for a fresh start and change overall to disappointment that a Cowboys coach will now make the calls in Washington.
"I think change for anybody is really good,” Regina Willett said. "I hope that this coach can make some differences.”
"They need new blood," another fan said.
Before his Dallas time, Quinn was previously the head coach for the Falcons for six seasons, and has ties to Maryland and Virginia as well.
“He is a defensive guru," another fan said of what Quinn bringts to the table. "As a Cowboys fan you pay close attention to the Washington teams, and they’ve always been known for defense, and they had a bad defense last year.”
Overall, Quinn is being shown a lot of respect from football fans.
“They definitely got a good coach in Dan Quinn, but in regard to going far? Gotta find you a quarterback,” Marquise Carter said. "From a Cowboys fan to the Washington Commanders, y’all got a gift, keep it.”
But many Washingtonians were quick to note they didn't want to get their hopes up too soon.
Several others said they had been more excited for an offensive coach to be the top choice, such as Detroit Lion's Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson, who turned down follow-up interviews with Washington and Seattle to stay in Detroit. With the Commanders having the number two pick in the NFL draft, and that pick likely going to a quarterback selection, fans said it would be beneficial to have an offensive-minded coach calling the shots.
At the end of the day, for some people, it was all about Quinn's former team: the Dallas Cowboys. With a surprising playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card round, some fans weren't confident in the selection.
"Defense is what did Dallas in," a man named Chuck Smith posted on WUSA9's Facebook in reaction to the hire.
Many Commanders fans admitted to having some PTSD from the franchise's history of making power moves and then still not performing well on the field. But overall, the vibe around Washington seemed to be one of hope.
“I think the commanders have a very good, bright future for them," Andre Washington said. "Hopefully this coach gives them the motivation to do better."
"I believe that they’re going to be good one day," Frank Carbone added.
The one thing a lot of football fans we talked to could agree on, whether they root for the Burgundy and Gold or not, is that anything that helps the Cowboys not succeed was a win.
“It hurts the cowboys, so we like that,” one man said laughing.
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