In their hunt for a new head coach, the Browns targeted multiple coaches involved in Sunday’s game, including Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. However, when Quinn indicated he wouldn’t interview for a second time until after the Super Bowl, the Browns moved on to other options, eventually hiring Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. If Cleveland had waited and offered Quinn the job, he likely would have accepted it, as he told Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer after Sunday’s game.
“I certainly would’ve been interested,” Quinn said. “I mean, it’s a big-time place. It’s the Cleveland Browns.”
The Browns can’t be blamed for wanting to finalize their decision well before this week. Cleveland was already the last club in the NFL without a head coach, and waiting another two weeks would’ve made it difficult for the team to fill out its staff, given all the coaches who found jobs in the meantime. Prior to Sunday, the Browns hired Jim O’Neil as their defensive coordinator and reportedly reached an agreement with Kyle Shanahan to become the team’s offensive coordinator.
As for Quinn, based on the Seahawks’ defensive performance on Sunday, it’s hard to say he made the wrong decision by choosing to focus solely on the game rather than pursuing another job. He told Cabot that he had “not one” regret about his choice. While Quinn appears poised to head Seattle’s No. 1 defense again in 2014, it will likely only be a matter of time before another head coaching opportunity arises for him.