Report: Dan Quinn was first to interview for Cowboys’ vacant DC role

Fans of the Dallas Cowboys have been less than enamored with the first two names publicly associated with the search for a replacement for disposed of defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. Late last week it was revealed that Atlanta Falcons secondary coach Joe Whitt, Jr. was set to interview for the role on Sunday, which he did. Also interviewing for the role was Jason Simmons, who held a similar role with the Carolina Panthers.

Both men spent several years working with head coach Mike McCarthy in Green Bay. However neither was actually the first to interview for the role. It turns out, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, a much more well known candidate had first dibs. Former Falcons’ head coach and Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn had the first interview, on Saturday.

Quinn was fired from the Falcons this season after an 0-5 start, which included multiple big blown leads, including the infamous Week 2 Watermelon kick game against the Cowboys, which Dallas somehow won 40-39.

Quinn ended his Falcons’ tenure with a 43-42 overall record. His club only finished in the Top 10 in yards and scoring once, his third season in 2017 when they finished 9th in yards and 8th in scoring. His first year they finished 16th and 14th respectively, and each other season they toiled in the 20s. His one year of calling plays, 2019, was his best ranking of his final five seasons, being 23rd in points and 20th in yards.

It was his time as coordinator with Seattle he hangs his hat on. In both years (2013, 2014) the club finished first in both yards and points allowed.

Those were the middle two seasons of four-straight campaigns of leading the league in scoring defense; in other words he took over a top program, maintained it, and then saw them continue to be on top without him.

Dallas’ search seems to be casting a wide net. They also relieved defensive line coach Jim Tomsula of his duties, but as of now no potential replacements have surfaced nor have other position coaches been let go.

It is likely that a new defensive coordinator will have the ability to choose from the remaining coaches if he wants to retain them. That list includes secondary coaches Al Harris and Maurice Linguist and linebackers’ coach Scott McCurley. Harris and McCurley both have ties with McCarthy from Green Bay as well.

Dallas finished the 2020 season ranked 29th in points allowed and 23rd in yards. The 473 yards allowed was the worst in franchise history by over two points a game.

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