3 Dan Quinn replacements Cowboys should already have on speed dial

1. Joe Whitt Jr., Cowboys secondary/pass game coordinator

Whitt Jr. is the most likely replacement should Quinn leave. Many fans have pointed to Al Harris, Dallas' defensive backs coach, to replace Quinn, but Whitt is more qualified as Quinn's understudy for the last three seasons.

The Cowboys' secondary has overachieved after losing star cornerback Trevon Diggs for the season with a torn ACL. DaRon Bland set the pick-six record and will likely be an All-Pro, while Stephon Gilmore has quietly put together another excellent year. Even Jourdan Lewis has played the best ball of his career.

For the season, Dallas ranked top-five in allowed completion percentage and passing yards. They also ranked top-10 in passing touchdowns and yards per attempt. Not bad for a secondary that was without its top playmaker.

Under Whitt's tutelage, Cowboys fans have witnessed the unlikely rise of Jayron Kearse, a former seventh-round pick of the Vikings who didn't become a full-time starter until he signed with Dallas in 2021, as well as 2019 sixth-round pick Donovan Wilson. Additionally, Malik Hooker has become the most consistent player of the safety trio after a rocky start to his career with the Colts.

Quinn deserves immense credit for that, too, but Whitt has been Quinn's right-hand man for the last three seasons. He should be the Cowboys top choice to replace Quinn should the 53-year-old leave for a coaching job.

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