The Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders (previously the Redskins) once had one of the most intense rivalries in the NFL.
The rivalry has waned in recent years, owing primarily to Washington’s inability to compete consistently for division titles under former owner Dan Snyder.
In DC, however, a new age has begun. There is a sense of optimism about the team that hasn’t been seen in a long time, and the new ownership group, lead by Josh Harris, Magic Johnson, and others, looked to their division opponents for the first significant head coaching hire.
The Washington Commanders startled many in the NFL last Thursday when former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn was named the guy in charge of changing the culture under new owner Josh Harris and general manager Adam Peters.
Since Peters was appointed as the team’s new general manager from the San Francisco 49ers, practically every reporter, both locally and nationally, projected the Commanders’ offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as the next coach.
But, as the Washington brass was on the plane to Detroit, the 37-year-old OC announced that he will stay with the Lions, surprising everyone in NFL circles.
When Dan Quinn took over the role, he didn’t hesitate to reach out to his former Dallas colleagues. He also hired secondary coach/passing game coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. as Washington’s new defensive coordinator, who was due to interview with Dallas for the role.
Quinn was instrumental in turning around the Cowboys’ defence, which allowed 29.6 points per game in 2020. During his tenure as defensive coordinator for the Cowboys, the defence finished in the top ten in terms of points allowed, ranking fifth in 2023. The Cowboys ranked seventh in total yards allowed and tied for 12th in turnovers. The Associated Press awarded him the Assistant Coach of the Year in 2021.
While the new Commanders head coach chose a unique strategy, selecting former Arizona Cardinals and USC assistant Kliff Kingsbury as his offensive coordinator, he has continued to try to recruit assistants from Dallas.
But Jerry Jones is refusing to allow Washington interview a few of the Cowboys’ top assistant coaches.
Dallas Cowboys prevent Washington Commanders from interviewing two key position coaches, including Al Harris.
As Quinn continues to build his staff in Washington, he went to Dallas for some key position coaches.
The Cowboys gave the Commanders permission to interview assistant defensive line coach Shariff Floyd and quality control coach/defensive assistant Pete Ohnegian, but Jerry Jones refuses to let go of two emerging talents in the coaching ranks when Quinn leaves for Washington.
“In addition to blocking Washington from interviewing TE coach Lunda Wells, the Cowboys denied the Commanders from speaking with DBs coach Al Harris, per a source,” Todd Archer, a reporter for ESPN Dallas, reported.
Lunda Wells enters his third season as Dallas Cowboys tight ends coach after leading the team to a successful 2021 season.
Dalton Schultz captained the tight end group again in 2021, and under Wells’ direction, Schultz had his best season to date, catching 78 passes for 808 yards and eight touchdowns, becoming only the second Cowboys tight end to reach 70 catches in a season (Jason Witten had nine). Most importantly, Schultz established himself as a consistent third-down target for Dak Prescott, who targeted Schultz for 13 first-down conversions on third downs in 2021, ranking second on the Cowboys and tied for seventh among NFL tight ends.
Defensive backs coach Al Harris was a popular name among Washington Commanders supporters, as the former NFL great cornerback is considered a rising star in the coaching ranks.
The Dallas Cowboys signed Al Harris to help coach the defensive backs in 2020. Harris brought a wealth of experience to the Cowboys, having spent the previous 11 years coaching at both the collegiate and professional levels following a 15-year NFL career as a prolific secondary player who earned two Pro Bowl nominations and an All-Pro selection.
Under Harris’ leadership, second-year cornerback Trevon Diggs skyrocketed during the 2021 season, becoming one of the top players at his position while leading the NFL with a franchise-high tying 11 interceptions. He helped transform the Cowboys’ secondary into one of the best in the NFL.
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