Falcons Head Coach Dan Quinn has brought fire and leadership to Atlanta.

A recurring criticism of former Falcons Head Coach Mike Smith was his lack of passion. When Atlanta was featured on Hard Knocks in 2014, many viewers saw Smith as passive and too soft compared to other coaches featured on the same program. Some even go as far as to credit the dreadful 2013 and 2014 Falcons seasons to Smith’s lack of leadership rather than inconsistency and untimely injuries.

However, Dan Quinn cannot be faulted by the same criticisms. From his first day as head coach, Quinn displayed an intensity for the game and for the success of the Falcons. He has indoctrinated slogans and points of philosophy in his coaching style to further encourage and motivate his players.

Most recently, “In Brotherhood” became a popular saying. Inspired from Navy Seals with a basis in communication, togetherness, and composure under pressure, it drove the Falcons closer together. It almost seems as if there is a new atmosphere surrounding the team. The players trust each other and build off of each other to play as a cohesive unit. Lazy plays on defense have all but disappeared, with every player flying from sideline to sideline desperate to lay a crushing hit. The offense isn’t afraid to take risks anymore, and now Ryan can drop back and go deep instead of being content with short passes that opposing defenses love to work against.

But the Super Bowl trip, the defensive improvements, and Ryan’s MVP aren’t just the result of a few snappy sayings and some speeches that would rival Tony D’Amato’s “Inch by Inch” speech from Any Given Sunday. No, Quinn has changed the mindset around Atlanta’s coaching staff. They are no longer a team that is defined by their weakest player or by the one mistake that cost them a victory. Instead, the team and coaching staff are now focused on moving forward. If a player struggles in one area, then don’t allow him to be a liability, teach and train him to grow stronger.

For example, in the Super Bowl, C.J. Goodwin took some defensive snaps at cornerback after minimal impact in the regular season. Quinn and the defensive coaching staff put their trust in Goodwin to perform on the biggest stage. Brady and the Patriots went right at Goodwin, but he stood tall, swatted a pass away and even made a couple tackles. The coaching ability to make a former bottom of the depth chart wide receiver into a cornerback that can hold their own against Tom Brady in the Super Bowl is something to behold.

Coach Quinn has articulated his take on the player development aspect of coaching in the following quote:

“It’s about the players. It is about our role to see how far we can take the guys. That is one of the things I loved most about coaching is how far you can develop the players. It is 100 percent about the players and the things I love most about coaching is how far we take a guy from where he is now to where we think he can go.”

Thinking past Goodwin, several virtually unknown players stepped up for the Falcons last season. Taylor Gabriel and Aldrick Robinson became fan favorites due to their speed and exciting play, but they wouldn’t even have played in Atlanta unless the Falcons saw their potential.

Quinn’s mindset and coaching philosophy has proven successful for coaches like Pete Carroll, John Harbaugh, Mike Tomlin, and several others. If Atlanta continues to display a fire in their game and an eye for the potential futures of their players, it’s only a matter of time before Quinn is held in the same regard as the coaches previously mentioned.