Dan Quinn reveals selfless act he offered to Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy

One of the biggest storylines of the 2022 NFL offseason has been the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff. From the job security of Mike McCarthy to the potential of losing both the offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator to other jobs, it’s been quite a few months.

Someone who knows a thing or two about what it is like to be on the hot seat as a head coach is Cowboys DC Dan Quinn. He spent five seasons as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons and led them to a Super Bowl before getting fired. Since then, he has joined Dallas’s coaching staff and led one of the most impressive defensive turnarounds in recent NFL history.

But that doesn’t mean he’s forgotten what the pressure of being a head coach is like. Quinn knows how much stress McCarthy is under, and has gone above and beyond to make sure the head coach knows he’s there to support him.

In a recent interview with Jori Epstein of USA Today Sports, Quinn revealed that he went to McCarthy’s office immediately after Jerry Jones intentionally (wild, I know) started rumors that Quinn could be the head coach of the Cowboys. The DC wanted to discuss things with McCarthy. In doing so, he made an incredibly selfless offer. One that McCarthy declined.

"“I was like, ‘Hey, man, let’s talk about it and see what you think. If it’s easier for me to go, just say the word, and I’m gone.'”“He kind of laughed and said: ‘You know, if this was 10 years ago, I’d say yeah, it would help for you to go. But I don’t want to say that right now. Because I think winning is better with you here.'”"

Quite a selfless act from a guy who not only could’ve taken over McCarthy’s job but also was in the final stages for several other head coaching jobs.

Dan Quinn told Mike McCarthy he’d leave the Cowboys if it was easier for the head coach

The reality is that McCarthy’s seat is hot. Not only do the Cowboys have Kellen Moore and Quinn as excellent internal candidates to take over, but the constant swirling rumors about Sean Payton’s next stop after broadcasting also continue to weigh on the Cowboys head coach. Plus, for Quinn, he’s arguably done his job far better than Moore has.

But regardless of the options, Quinn chose to stick around. Because McCarthy wanted him there and because he wanted to be there.

"“I wasn’t quite ready to take the next spot. From the defensive side, I said, ‘[Expletive], I don’t want to see anybody else coaching this defense in 2022.’…I felt like there was a lot here that I wanted to accomplish with this group, and I would’ve missed it."

It’s no wonder his players love him so much.

It’s not that Quinn isn’t ever going to be a head coach again. But he certainly isn’t trying to add any chaos or turmoil to a franchise he’s really enjoyed working with. He knows what McCarthy is going through.

For now, though, he seems incredibly happy where he is.

"“There will be a time when I’m definitely interested again. It’s not something that I’m chasing, because I had done that before, and I felt like I missed some moments where I was chasing (rather than) being right where my feet are and enjoying it. So I try more often to be present for the people and where I’m at.”"

The entire coaching staff has a lot to prove this year as the Cowboys’ conference championship drought continues to haunt the franchise. We could see a much different coaching roster at this time next year — maybe even sooner.