There’s a lot of drama in the air when it comes to Ben Johnson, the Washington Commanders and the interview that went down between the two.

Johnson, who remains in Detroit as the Lions’ offensive coordinator, was turned off by Commanders ownership, considering them as “basketball guys” who are perhaps too confident in their football opinions, according to ESPN. In turn, the same report stated that Johnson didn’t do well in the interview.

Along with managing partner Josh Harris, the Commanders’ relatively new ownership includes NBA Hall of Fame point guard Magic Johnson, who in addition to winning five titles with the Lakers during his playing days has won MLB, WNBA and MLS titles as an owner.

Washington has continued its quest to fill its vacant offensive coordinator post. The Commanders did fill their head coaching vacancy with the hiring of former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator and Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn.

Johnson, meanwhile, will return to Detroit, where he enjoyed considerable success this past season. The Lions were among the NFL’s best team in several offensive categories and had scored 24 points against the 49ers in the first half of the NFC championship game. Unfortunately for Johnson and Co., the Lions scored just seven points the second half and were on the short end of a 34-31 final score.

He didn’t become a head coach this year, but Johnson will probably be a top candidate when next offseason arrives. Just don’t bet on him ending up in Washington anytime soon.

“We take immense pride in the appointment of SU alum, Dan Quinn being named as the new head coach for the Washington Commanders,” said Carolyn Lepre, SU President. “We are thrilled that Dan’s exceptional talent and unwavering passion have earned him this prestigious position. His achievement only helps to exemplify the caliber of talent fostered within our university, and we are excited to welcome Dan and his family back home.”

Quinn, who was inducted in the SU Hall of Fame in 2005, was a two-sport athlete, excelling in track & field and football.

On the gridiron, he was a feared defensive lineman, recording 145 total tackles. A regular in the lineup during his final three years, Quinn played in all 28 games, with 135 tackles, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and one interception, which he returned for a touchdown.

As a thrower on the track and field team, Quinn set the school record in the hammer throw (51.4m, 168-8), which stood for nearly 20 years, until 2012.

While at SU, Quinn met his future wife, Stacey ’91, an athletic trainer. The two have been supporters of SU ever since, creating three endowments, benefitting football, track and field, and athletic training.

“We’re excited to have Dan so close to home,” said Monica Polizzi, SU director of athletics and campus recreation. “He is an amazing example of hard work and reaching your dream. Dan has not only been an outstanding coach, but also retains close connections to SU and many of the athletic programs here. We will all be cheering for the Commanders’ success!”

Quinn rose through the coaching ranks following his graduation from SU, in assistant coaching roles with the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins and New York Jets. As a defensive coordinator with the Seattle Seahawks, he went to the Super Bowl twice, winning in 2014 as his defense put on an incredible show against Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos in a 43-8 victory.

After a six-year stint as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, including another Super Bowl appearance in 2018, Quinn has spent the past three seasons leading the Dallas Cowboys’ defense, one of the best in the NFL in that time, before getting the call to head to the nation’s capital.

“Dan has proven to be one of the brightest minds in the NFL, and we are thrilled to see him lead such a storied franchise as the Commanders,” said Sherman Wood, head coach of the SU football program. “He not only possesses the knowledge that the position requires, but he is a great leader of men, and I believe he will be a great success with the Commanders.”