Why does Dan Quinn put on his hat backwards? Explaining cause behind Commanders’ coach’s distinctive type

The Commanders had been the largest shock of the NFL season, as Washington received eight extra video games this yr in comparison with final. A giant cause for the success is new head coach Dan Quinn, as the previous Falcons head man has helped change Washington’s tradition in his first season.

There are numerous areas that present how Quinn helped reignite the franchise, however one notable space is represented by the top coach’s vogue selection. Quinn sometimes wears his Commanders hat backwards throughout video games, a transfer that truly reveals the type of head coach that Quinn is.

That is Quinn’s second go round as a head coach, as he beforehand led the Falcons from 2015-20, which included a Tremendous Bowl look. Throughout that stint, Quinn in all probability realized lots about what it takes to be a great head coach within the NFL, which he’s now making use of in Washington.

So, why does Dan Quinn put on his hat backwards? The Sporting Information examines.

SN’S PLAYOFFS HQ: Reside NFL scores | Full NFL schedule | Up to date NFL bracket

Dan Quinn backwards hat, defined

When Quinn was the Falcons head coach, he would sometimes put on his hat with the brim going through ahead, which is the usual approach. Nonetheless, when he was the defensive coordinator for the Cowboys, Quinn was proven along with his hat flipped backwards throughout video games.

Quinn stored the backwards hat when he grew to become the Commanders’ head coach within the offseason, and he revealed there’s a cause why. The veteran coach stated it is his approach of permitting his gamers to precise their originality. 

“I respect folks’s individuality and issues that imply one thing to them,” Quinn advised The Washington Submit‘s Candace Buckner in June. “So whether or not it is a coiffure or no facial hair — like, all the foundations that we have all heard all through our life, I do not essentially see it that approach. I like that persons are distinctive and totally different.

Quinn stresses that the message is not concerning the particular backwards hat, as he hopes that sporting the backwards hat permits each participant to be themself.

“I do not need all people to put on their hat like me. They do not should,” Quinn continued. “A part of what makes being in a locker room enjoyable [is] totally different tastes, music or vehicles, or no matter they like. If it is all the identical, it isn’t as enjoyable. I embrace [that] persons are distinctive they usually have particular ways in which they do issues. To me, that is okay, so long as it is within the workforce.”

Quinn truly wore his hat forwards within the first half of the workforce’s season-opener vs. the Buccaneers, however flipped it round for the second half like he does throughout observe. Since then, the backwards hat has turn out to be a fixture.

Quinn’s backwards hat matches in completely with a Commanders workforce that was in search of a tradition change. Final yr, head coach Ron Rivera employed Eric Bieniemy as the brand new offensive coordinator, and Bieniemy did not enable any of the offensive gamers to put on their hats backwards.

This yr, the gamers respect Quinn’s extra laid-back method, and it reveals within the workforce’s efficiency.

Dan Quinn teaching file

MORE 2025 NFL PLAYOFF NEWS: