2 Cowboys coaches going in different directions with Jaguars HC Job
Dec. 28 was the first day that NFL teams could contact assistant coaches from other organizations to fill any head coaching vacancies. The Jacksonville Jaguars did not waste any time requesting to speak with Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn early that morning.
This is all thanks to a new NFL policy where teams no longer have to wait until the end of the season to interview other candidates. Now, organizations can reach out in Week 17 and Week 18.
It’s no surprise that these two coaches were asked to interview for the job. Moore has already considered several other head coaching jobs in the past, interviewing with the Eagles last year and considering an HC position at his alma mater Boise State this season. Quinn has a ton of experience as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons from 2015-2020.
Despite the interview requests, head coach Mike McCarthy assured everyone on Wednesday that both coaches are still focused on the season at hand. McCarthy told local reporters that both men are great coaches, but also said that the interviews will not interfere with any preparation for Week 17’s matchup against the Cardinals.
However, the two coaches are taking different paths in light of the interview requests.
Jaguars have requested interviews with Cowboys coordinators Kellen Moore and Dan Quinn. Mike McCarthy: “They’re both working the same hours and they’re committed to the game plan. I don’t see this being any type of interference in our preparation” for Cardinals.
— Brianna Dix (@briannadixNFL) December 29, 2021
Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn will NOT interview for Jaguars head coaching job over the next few weeks, but Kellen Moore has neither confirmed nor denied interviewing.
Shortly after hearing about the Jaguars’ request, Adam Schefter tweeted that Quinn will not be interviewing for the job over the next few weeks, when Jacksonville intends to do the bulk of their work. *cue Cowboys fans sighing of relief*
According to Tom Pelissero, it wasn’t an emphatic all-encompassing denial from Quinn, who declined to speak right now and pushed all head coaching interviews until the end of the season. With all the rest of the Jaguars’ business reportedly taking place in this two-week window, though, this is all semantics. He won’t participate when everyone else will, so he’s likely out.
There is no denying that Quinn has played a huge role in turning this defense around and helping young guns like Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs rise to stardom. Before revealing he wouldn’t be taking the job, Quinn told the press that he didn’t come to Dallas to get a head coaching job and he is having a blast where he’s at. Maybe that’s why he chose to stay?
On the other hand, there is no news about whether Moore will be taking the interview or not. With a struggling team and a rookie quarterback looking for his footing in Trevor Lawrence, Moore would be a good fit for the Jaguars.
If it makes you feel any better, the Jaguars have cast a very wide net in hopes of filling this position. According to ESPN, Jacksonville also reached out to former Lions head coach Jim Caldwell, former Eagles head coach Doug Pederson, Bucs DC Todd Bowles, Bucs OC Byron Leftwich, Colts DC Matt Eberflus, and Packers OC Nathaniel Hackett.
Regardless, Jerry Jones and Co. may want to keep an eye out for a potential replacement. But for right now, the name of the game is this season. Let’s hope Moore is still keeping his eye on the Lombardi Trophy rather than the swamps of Florida.
