Steve Kerr not only is one of the most successful NBA coaches of all time, but the Golden State Warriors’ leader also reportedly has an influence in the NFL coaching ranks as well.
Kerr helped his friend Dan Quinn get back as an NFL head coach by recommending him to the Washington Commanders, who hired him earlier this month. It turns out, former Warriors general manager Bob Myers was part of the Commanders’ hiring committee, and Kerr thought enough of Quinn to reach out to the man who in the past hired Kerr to coach Golden State.
“Kerr, a four-time NBA champion as coach, was one of them,” wrote John Keim. “He and Quinn had struck up a friendship over the years; their agents work for the same company. Kerr texted Myers: ‘He’s your guy; you’ve got to hire him.'”
Last season, Quinn served as the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys. He previously was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons and helped them reach the 2017 Super Bowl, where they famously blew a 28-3 lead in losing to the New England Patriots.
In addition to being a four-time NBA champion as head coach of the Warriors, Kerr won the title five times as a player for the Chicago Bulls (three) and San Antonio Spurs (two).
The Commanders’ ownership group has NBA ties as well. Managing partner Josh Harris is also managing partner of the Philadelphia 76ers, and the group includes Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson. The sale of the team became official in July, with the new owners taking over from Dan Snyder.
Myers parted ways with the Warriors in May 2023 and joined the Commanders franchise in January of this year. He will look to bring his championship acumen and experience to an NFL franchise formerly known as the Redskins that has a proud tradition but has struggled in recent seasons.
Washington has won the Super Bowl three times in five appearances but has not played in the game since the 1991 NFL season. It has made the playoffs just once since the 2016 campaign and last won a playoff game in the 2005 season.
The Warriors and Kerr have had much more recent success, winning their fourth title over eight seasons in the 2022 NBA Finals. Perhaps the encouraging words from Kerr can help Quinn and the Commanders reach similar heights sometime soon.
