NFL Coaching Carousel: Dan Quinn Named Head Coach of the Commanders
The NFL coaching carousel has finally come to a stop with the Commanders announcing their new head coach, Dan Quinn. While offense may be the focus in today’s NFL, it’s interesting to note that five out of the eight new coaches have defensive backgrounds. The league has also made strides in improving its diversity record, with four out of the eight new hires being minorities. Additionally, the NFL continues to get younger, as three of the eight coaches are under 40 years old.
One of the most notable hires is Jerod Mayo, who at 37 years old became the youngest head coach in the NFL when he was hired by the Patriots. However, his tenure was short-lived as the Seahawks quickly hired 36-year-old Mike Macdonald. It’s clear that youth is being prioritized in coaching hires.
Let’s take a closer look at the other seven new head coaches and what they bring to their respective teams:
Raheem Morris, Falcons: The Falcons considered numerous candidates, including Bill Belichick, but ultimately landed on Morris. With previous head coaching experience from 2009-2011 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Morris brings a solid resume to the Falcons. While his background is primarily on defense, he also has experience coaching receivers and serving as a passing game coordinator.
Dave Canales, Panthers: Canales was an interesting choice for the Panthers, as they interviewed several candidates who eventually took jobs with other teams. Canales, a former Seahawks coach under Pete Carroll, had success as the quarterbacks coach for Geno Smith’s breakout year in 2022 and as the offensive coordinator for Baker Mayfield’s renaissance with the Buccaneers this season. It’s worth noting that Canales chose to retain defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, despite not bringing his own defensive staff.
Jim Harbaugh, Chargers: The Chargers made what many consider to be the best hiring of the offseason by bringing in Harbaugh. With a track record of winning and getting the most out of his quarterbacks, including Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick, Harbaugh is expected to make a significant impact on the talented but underperforming Chargers team. He has also brought in executives from his brother John Harbaugh’s staff, including Joe Hortiz as GM and an analytics expert.
Antonio Pierce, Raiders: Owner Mark Davis listened to his players and decided to stick with Pierce, who won over the locker room during his interim coaching stint. Pierce’s unique connection with players as a Black coach who also played in the NFL for nine years has resonated with the team. While his coaching experience may be limited, he has sought advice from experienced coaches like Tom Coughlin and has brought on Marvin Lewis as associate head coach.
Brian Callahan, Titans: The Titans opted for a change in coaching style, going from a defensive-minded coach in Mike Vrabel to a mild-mannered offensive coach in Callahan. With experience as the Bengals’ offensive coordinator for the past five seasons, Callahan has worked with a variety of quarterbacks and will now have the opportunity to develop Will Levis. It’s worth noting that Callahan has made history by hiring his father, Bill Callahan, as the offensive line coach.
Mike Macdonald, Seahawks: The Seahawks made a bold move by hiring Macdonald, who at 36 years old is now the youngest head coach in the NFL. A protégé of Jim Harbaugh, Macdonald has had success as a defensive coordinator at Michigan and Baltimore. The Seahawks reportedly chose Macdonald over the Commanders, highlighting their confidence in his abilities.
Dan Quinn, Commanders: The Commanders’ choice of Quinn as head coach may raise some eyebrows, as he is a veteran defensive coach who previously lost a Super Bowl. However, Quinn brings experience and a track record of success, having gone 43-42 in 5½ seasons with the Falcons and coordinating a Cowboys defense that consistently ranked in the top seven in points allowed. While it may not have been the most exciting hire, the Commanders are hoping Quinn can lead them to success.
Overall, the NFL coaching carousel has brought a mix of experienced coaches, young up-and-comers, and diverse candidates to various teams. It will be interesting to see how these new hires impact their respective organizations and whether they can lead their teams to success in the upcoming seasons.