After receiving extensive interest from head coach-needy teams for a second straight year, Dan Quinn is once again planning to stick with the Cowboys.
The veteran defensive coordinator informed teams that have considered him for their HC job he will remain in Dallas, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. This will be a big gain for the Cowboys, considering Quinn’s performance through two seasons, and it stands to affect the Broncos, Cardinals and Colts’ HC searches.
Quinn, 52, was once again among those in the mix for the Broncos’ HC job, but after a second straight year in a Denver search, the former George Paton coworker bowed out. The Cardinals and Colts may have been more interested. Arizona brought Quinn in for a second interview this week, and Quinn agreed to a second Indianapolis meeting Wednesday night. That summit was set for Saturday, but it is now off.
“This is big for us. It gives us continuity. Frankly, on a personal note, I can’t tell you how thankful I am,” Mike McCarthy said (via The Athletic’s Jon Machota) of Quinn’s return. “Clearly, Dan is in the position to be selective, and I’m extremely excited about the decision.”
The former Falcons HC remains under contract with the Cowboys, via the multiyear extension he signed in January 2022. Quinn interviewed with five teams during the ’22 hiring period, advancing to the finals of Denver search that produced Nathaniel Hackett. The Broncos may or may not have rushed that process, due to Hackett agreeing to a second Jaguars interview. After the Hackett hire, Quinn recommitted to the Cowboys.
Quinn remaining in Dallas led to the team taking another step defensively, ranking second in DVOA. The team’s defensive muscle showed in its divisional-round matchup with the 49ers, though DeMeco Ryans‘ unit prevailed in a low-scoring matchup. Still, Quinn’s unit — after intending to retain Randy Gregory and then losing him at the 11th hour — built on its 2021 season. Working more as an edge defender, Micah Parsons maintained the dominance he showed as a rookie. Dallas’ rebuilt D-line led the way in the team’s 54-sack season — 13 more than the 2021 unit registered — and has led the league in takeaways for the past two seasons. After the Cowboys set a franchise record for points allowed during the 2020 season, Quinn’s arrival has made a considerable difference on their 24-10 record since.
This decision could point Ryans toward securing the Denver job. A Thursday report indicated the San Francisco DC had become a frontrunner for it, seemingly blunting the early momentum Quinn had as a potential Sean Payton backup plan. With the prospects for a Broncos-Payton partnership fading, Ryans is in line to capitalize. The Colts are planning to have roughly seven candidates go through second interviews. That is on the high side, but Indianapolis has led the way in terms of interview volume. Jeff Saturday remains in that mix, though a few others have met or will meet with Jim Irsay and Co. Brian Flores‘ name has come up most often in connection with the Arizona job, but Payton is at the Cardinals’ facility Thursday afternoon.
Going into his third season as Dallas’ DC, Quinn will need to hire multiple new staffers. The team moved on from senior defensive assistant George Edwards and longtime assistant D-line coach Leon Lett.
Becoming a new version of Josh McDaniels.
Let’s interview and interview till Jerry pays me more and then I’ll just withdraw
I think it’s more than that. I think McCarthy is going to be looking over his shoulder even more now. Quinn is staying for 1 reason and it may be a matter of time before he’s the head man there.
Nope. I’m pretty sure Kellen will get that. There’s a reason Jerry has kept him as the OC all this time.
I know what you’re saying but if I had a choice between Quinn and Kellen I’d take Quinn.
Course, McCarthy does have a say in it. For those that think Prescott is an elite QB like he does, well…………………..nope. He’s good but that’s it.
No, Jerry Jones makes all the decisions not McCarthy. Dak is Jerry’s choice.
I think you got Payton before Kellen. Jerry isn’t getting younger and I think he will want a big name if he moves from McCarthy
Could NOT agree with you more!!
Kellen as HC and Dan Quinn as DC/Deputy HC would be a very good pair. I hope it doesn’t happen (I’m a Redskins fan).
McCarthy is dead weight, just as he was in Green Bay. At least he stays out of the way sometimes.
Alot of moving parts. Can’t blame him for checking options or upping his salary? Who wouldn’t. True he has a fast track HC job in Dallas if Jerry gets up on the wrong side of the bed. Quinn has built a defense in Dallas that will get even younger blood from this draft to work with. Why not stay put! Jerry also knows his time is running short. He’s wants to hoist that trophy again. Parting from Quinn would have been a step backwards and Jerry is counting steps already. Smart move on Quinn and he’s a smart guy.
Welcome back, DQ!!!!
I think this is him just picking his spots. Not that he doesn’t want to be a head guy, but that he won’t do it unless it’s a really good circumstance.
And…why not? He’s arguably the best defensive coordinator in football right now. Has a great gig with a good roster, an owner that spends on both sides of the ball. He’s already built a team up, only for him to get fired as his roster aged and talent declined, and of course the worst Super Bowl loss in nfl history. He’s been through a lot as a head guy already.
Although we’d have appreciated Dan here in AZ, prob a smart move staying away from the Cards
Quinn is more interested in the 2024 Dallas job opening
Looks like Jerry opened up the checkbook, cha-ching.
Why wouldn’t he stay. He’s got some pretty good players on that defense. So how happy are Cowboys fans that McCarthy said Jerry Jones wants him to coach there as long as Tom Landry? Gotta make your corn flakes taste like crap in the morning.
If they stumble in the playoffs again next year, I think Payton will be the target.
Not if someone else snags him before then. I think if Dallas wants Payton, this is their chance. I’m not super convinced of him, either.
Dallas is not giving up draft compensation to hire Payton. Quinn is the first choice to replace McCarthy if the Cowboys fire the HC. In the meantime, it’ll be interesting to see what they do at OC.
Quinn didn’t do all that well as a head coach. Why not stay as an acclaimed and extremely well-paid DC? Great decision, continuity in life and success.