Dan Quinn replacements: Ranking 7 best candidates if Commanders move on from coach originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Washington Commanders went 12-5 in the first season under head coach Dan Quinn in 2024. Since then, ahead of Week 6 of the 2026 NFL regular season, his team has posted a 6-15-1 record, putting his job security in serious jeopardy in Year 3.
Beyond the lack of success in the past two seasons, the Commanders' botching of a potential overtime victory over the Giants in Week 5 has made his seat hotter. Quinn will need Washington to show improved results soon to extend his term to four years.
Should owner Josh Harris want to make another change and hire the 32nd head coach in franchise history, here would be his options, starting with one in-house.
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Commanders' 7 best coaching candidates for 2027
1. David Blough, Commanders offensive coordinator (age: 31)
Would the Commanders follow the Bills' example and remove an older defensive-minded coach in Quinn (56) and promote his offensive coordinator? Don't rule it out, despite Blough, a former journeyman backup, being so young.
Bold offensive-minded hires have worked well for several teams. It's a good bet Washington pivots from old-school defense to new-school offense with its new leader. Blough should get a chance because of good early work getting Jayden Daniels back on track.
2. Nate Scheelhaase, Rams offensive coordinator (age: 35)
Like Blough (Purdue), Scheelhaase is another former Big Ten quarterback (Illinois) to consider. Going back to before Sean McVay, five former Rams OCs (Mike LaFleur, Liam Coen, Matt LaFleur, Kevin O'Connell, Brian Schottenheimer) are current NFL head coaches, making the position the ultimate springboard. Scheelhaase also would get the best out of Daniels.
3. Declan Doyle, Ravens offensive coordinator (age: 30)
The Commanders also should be paying attention to what's happening with Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley around the Beltway in Baltimore. Doyle left Ben Johnson and the Bears to take play-calling duties. The results have been pretty good with the Ravens as Todd Monken's replacement. Consider Quinn's original OC was Kliff Kingsbury, who did well with the Daniels because of early good experience with another running QB, Kyler Murray. Doyle would be a great fit in Washington.
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4. Grant Udinski, Jaguars offensive coordinator (age: 30)
Staying offensive-minded, another hot young candidate is in Jacksonville. Grant Udinski is doing well as Coen's mentee, helping Trevor Lawrence live up to his immense physical talent. Youth might be Udinski's only barrier. Even wunderkinds Brady and Kellen Moore had to wait a little for teams to be comfortable.
5. Aden Durde, Seahawks defensive coordinator (age: 47)
Quinn got his head-coaching opportunities thanks to his acumen as a defensive coordinator, first in Seattle under Pete Carroll and later in Dallas. Durde, a British-American, has been a rising star since working under Quinn for the Falcons and Cowboys. He raised his credentials working with Mike Macdonald to lead the Seahawks championship defense. Durde deserves his shot as head coach soon.
6. Anthony Campanile, Jaguars defensive coordinator (age: 44)
The Jaguars' coaching staff under Coen has been spot-on. Campanile also is crushing it for an active playmaking defense. Should the Commanders want to stay on Quinn's side of the ball with their head coach, this would be another strong choice.
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7. Chris Shula, Rams defensive coordinator (age: 40)
Shula was in play as a potential new head coach for teams in the busy 2026 hiring cycle. He will be mentioned to get his real chance in '27 with every opening, but he doesn't make as much sense for the Commanders than the rest above.