Dan Quinn, Dallas Cowboys defensive coach, is a well-known name that expected to be hired as a head coach this offseason. Two teams have also reportedly chosen him to be their top choice.
Sports Illustrated’s Mike Fisher reports that Quinn is a “top contender” for the Denver Broncos head coach as Vic Fangio’s replacement or to replace Pete Carroll as Seattle Seahawks head coach.
Denver is heading towards a third consecutive losing season, under Fangio. On Saturday, the Broncos (9-9) will play against the Kansas City Chiefs in their season finale.
The Seahawks currently stand at 6-10 and will be last in the NFC West, for the first time since 1996. Under Carroll and John Schneider, this is only the third consecutive year Seattle has missed the playoffs.
Fisher pointed out that Seattle and Denver are very different situations because Carroll is “not on the same thin-ice, it appears, as Fangio.” Quinn could also be a candidate to rejoin the Seahawks, having served as defensive coordinator under Carroll between 2013-14.
Quinn led the turnaround of a Dallas defense which allowed 473 points per game in 2020, a record for Dallas. The Cowboys are seventh in scoring defense this season with 20.8 points per match. With 33 takeaways, they are tied for seventh place with the Indianapolis Colts.
Quinn was the head coach of Atlanta Falcons for more than five seasons prior to joining the Cowboys. He was fired last year after a 0-5 season. After leading the Falcons by 28-3, he coached them to a Super Bowl LI appearance.