Mike Tomlin and Dan Quinn reflect on coaching origins at VMI
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Nov 10, 2026, 4:42 PM
Last updated Nov 10, 2026

Mike Tomlin and Dan Quinn shared insights about their early coaching careers during a podcast with Cameron Heyward. The conversation focused on their time together at Virginia Military Institute in the mid-1990s, where they began their journey with limited resources. Tomlin recalled working in a basement office, which set the foundation for their successful careers. Their experiences alongside influential figures like Tony Dungy and Dick LeBeau in various coaching roles shaped their defensive philosophies. This foundational period has impacted their approach in the NFL today.
- •Tomlin and Quinn shared an office at VMI in the 1990s.
- •Their coaching careers began with minimal resources and were defined by hard work.
- •Both coaches later worked under Tony Dungy and Dick LeBeau.
- •Their experiences contributed to modern NFL defensive philosophies.
- •Tomlin discussed these origins on Cameron Heyward's podcast.
- 4:42 PMYahoo Sports — The basement origins of Mike Tomlin and Dan Quinn's coaching empire
"Trace the early days of Mike Tomlin and Dan Quinn as young assistant coaches building the foundation for successful NFL careers.
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