Even before he became a head coach of the Washington Commanders, Dan Quinn carried a reputation as one of the better leaders in the NFL.
Formerly the top man of the Atlanta Falcons and architect of some of the more dominant defenses in modern history, Quinn knows how to get the best out of a unit below him.
And he shared the secret to his success of the graduating class of his alma mater.
In the celebration of the 100th graduating class at Salisbury University, Quinn gave a keynote speaker address as he was honored with a doctorate by the college institution.
And his message to the class of 2025?
"Embrace all of it," Quinn told the crowd. "I want to be really clear about this: The entire world is open to you. My wish and my hope for every single one of you is to not let the world change you. You go and change the world."
That's a lovely and smart sentiment.
Well, there was one more thing. As he walked from the podium, he blurted out ...
"Let it (bleeping) rip!"
Quinn left the Dallas Cowboys a year ago and joined a Commanders roster that had been one of the worst in the NFL over the years. In 2023 alone, Washington won just four games, had the worst defense in football, and seemed like a directionless group.
Things changed the minute Quinn was signed, though. Not only did Washington eight more games in 2024 than the year prior, but they also reached the Conference title game for the first time in over three decades.
That wasn't be accident. Quinn established a culture and forced the league to adapt to his own roster in the nation's capital.
To the students graduating Salisbury University, that's the exact thing they were told to do by the head coach.
Well, that and to "Let it rip!''