Cowboys DC Dan Quinn top contender for 2 NFL head coaching positions
Given their immense success during the regular season, it is no surprise that the Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator are in the conversation for head coaching vacancies around the NFL.
We already know that OC Kellen Moore interviewed with the Jacksonville Jaguars over zoom on Friday, and now there are two teams heavily eyeing DC Dan Quinn. Those two teams: the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos. The Broncos fired Vic Fangio on Sunday after three seasons, and the Seattle Seahawks still haven’t made a decision about head coach Pete Carroll.
Before landing with the Cowboys, the DC has held coaching positions with the 49ers, Jets, Seahawks, and was most recently the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons from 2015-2020.
Many were surprised that Quinn chose not to take an in-season interview with the Jaguars. But Cowboys fans were elated with his reasoning.
Cowboys DC Dan Quinn on not interviewing with the Jacksonville Jaguars for their head coaching position: “I’m just enjoying what I’m doing. I’m really having the time of my life with this group of guys. I just wanted to be right where I’m at. It was nothing more than that.”
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) January 6, 2022
Cowboys DC Dan Quinn is the top candidate for Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos head coaching jobs this NFL Black Monday
Quinn is deserving of this recognition. He has led the insane turnaround of this dominant Dallas defense. In 2020, the Cowboys allowed 473 points, the worst number in franchise history. This year, they lead the league in interceptions (26) and turnovers (34). Quinn also helped shape young guns like Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs.
As mentioned above, the Broncos showed Fangio the door before NFL Black Monday even hit after the team didn’t make the playoffs for the sixth year. Fangio was with Denver for just three years, going 19-30 for three consecutive losing seasons.
This means the Broncos will be looking for their fourth different coach since 2016. GM George Paton says he wants the right leader. Even though Paton says the franchise will “cast a wide net” in its coaching search, Quinn is a “top candidate” according to SI’s Mike Fisher. So much so, that they’ve already requested an interview with him.
The #Broncos have requested permission to interview #Cowboys DC Dan Quinn, source said. He’ll be a very strong candidate.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 10, 2022
For Seattle, the team has yet to decide what to do with head coach Pete Carroll. Even though Carroll is the most successful coach in franchise history, he is still on a, let’s call it, “warm seat.” Carroll is under contract through 2025, but the Seahawks had one of their worst seasons in more than ten years this year.
Perhaps one of the reasons Seattle is eyeing Quinn is that he would be a familiar face within the organization. Quinn was the DC under Carroll from 2013-2014, a time when the Seahawks defense was thriving.
For what it’s worth, ESPN says that Carroll expects to be back with Seattle next year. Only time will tell where Quinn lands, but Cowboys fans surely hope he avoids getting poached and can continue to help recharge an often-dismal Cowboys defense.
