Washington Commanders head coach should have won the NFL Coach of the Year award. Amazingly, Quinn didn't finish among the top four in voting at NFL Honors.
While Kevin O'Connell certainly deserved the award, too, people often forget that Quinn took a 4-13 Washington team and helped turn it into a 12-5 squad that went all the way to the NFC championship. It was the franchise's best season in 33 years. Sure, Quinn had help, but so did every other coach ranked above him. Quinn's leadership was precisely what the Commanders needed. After years of talking about culture under the previous regime, Quinn actually reset the culture.
While Quinn didn't win NFL Coach of the Year, he did win another prestigious award last week. Quinn was named the 2025 TAPS Senator Ted Stevens Leadership Award winner.
Here's some background on the TAPS award:
Each year, this prestigious award is presented to an individual who has dedicated their time and talent to honor America’s fallen heroes and support their surviving families.
Quinn has long been known for his work with the military and veteran communities. Quinn was named the NFL's Salute to Service award winner in 2016. The NFL's Salute to Service award, presented by USAA, recognizes an NFL individual every year for their work with the United States military, veterans, and their families. Quinn has never shied away from expressing how important the U.S. Military is to him.
“It is truly an honor to receive the 2025 TAPS Senator Ted Stevens Leadership Award," Quinn said in a statement. "TAPS has held a special place in my heart for a long time. I truly cherish meeting the families and love seeing the joy football brings them. Being able to play a part in helping to support the families of our nation’s fallen heroes is something that I will never take for granted. My wife Stacey and I look forward to continuing to support Bonnie Carroll, TAPS, and surviving families and hosting events for years to come.”
TAPS president Bonnie Carroll said the following about Quinn:
Coach Quinn doesn’t just wear the Salute to Service patch — he lives it. He understands that behindevery name etched in stone is a family carrying forward a legacy of love and service. His leadership is not onlyabout winning games but honoring the people who make our country great.
Quinn may not have been the NFL Coach of the Year in 2024, but whether he'd admit it or not, this one probably means a little more to Washington's head coach.
Congratulations to Coach Quinn.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders coach Dan Quinn wins prestigious award
