Report: Seahawks DC Dan Quinn expected to be new Falcons' coach
Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is expected to be the new head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, reports Fox Sports' Jay Glazer.
Quinn's agent told the Associated Press that Quinn had a second interview with the Falcons on Monday. According to Glazer, there is a "handshake agreement" in place and the Falcons will make the hiring official once Seattle's postseason ends.
The Seahawks face the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl on Feb. 1.
Quinn first interviewed with the Jets late last month.
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The Falcons interviewed Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin last Wednesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, who reported last week that Quinn is the favorite for the job. The presence of quarterback Matt Ryan is believed to be a big lure for Quinn and an advantage for the Falcons, according to Schefter.
Quinn, 44, has been the Seahawks defensive coordinator for the past two seasons, over which Seattle has boasted the highest-performing defense in the league and won Super Bowl XLVIII. He spent the 2011-12 season as the defensive coordinator and defensive line coach for the Florida Gators, producing top-10 FBS defenses in both seasons.
Quinn had his first stint with the Seahawks from 2009-10, serving as assistant head coach and defensive line coach. He was one of three holdovers from Jim Mora's staff when Pete Carroll became Seattle's head coach in 2010.
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The Falcons fired former head coach Mike Smith last month after seven seasons. Atlanta finished 6-10, its second straight season with fewer than seven wins and the first after five consecutive seasons with no fewer than nine wins.
The Falcons won at least 10 games in four of Smith's first five seasons, but went 1-4 in the five postseason games in which he coached.
- Mike Fiammetta
