DALLAS — Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is set to become the next head coach for the NFC East rival Washington Commanders.
A source with the Cowboys has confirmed to WFAA that Quinn has notified the team about his departure. Meanwhile, the Commanders have confirmed to WFAA's D.C. sister station WUSA that they reached a verbal agreement with Quinn on Thursday.
ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter and NFL Network National Insider Ian Rapoport first reported on Thursday morning that Quinn had accepted the position -- his second head coaching gig in the NFL.
Quinn, 53, spent the past three seasons running the defense for the Cowboys after five-plus seasons coaching the Atlanta Falcons.
Quinn coached the Falcons to a Super Bowl appearance in 2016 before being fired following an 0-5 start in 2020.
Quinn was rumored to be a leading candidate for the Seattle Seahawks's head coaching position, where he has ties dating back to when he led the "Legion of Boom" defense as their coordinator during their Super Bowl-winning season in 2013-2014, and also in the following season, during which they also reached the Super Bowl. Instead, the NFC West team hired Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald to fill its opening.
The Associated Press reported that Quinn became Washington’s choice after Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, also considered a top candidate, told teams Tuesday he was staying with Detroit.
As Dallas' defensive coordinator, Quinn led the Cowboys defense to two top-12 finishes in total defense, including a fifth-place finish in 2023.
Quinn joins an organization that hasn’t won a championship since 1992 and owns only two playoff victories over the past three decades.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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