Falcons hire Seahawks DC Dan Quinn as head coach
The Atlanta Falcons have hired Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn as their next head coach, the team announced Monday.
Quinn spent the last two seasons with the Seahawks, who led the NFL in total defense and scoring defense each year. He coached Florida’s defense under Will Muschamp in 2011 and was Seattle’s defensive line coach before that.
Quinn's staff is expected to have Kyle Shanahan as offensive coordinator and Richard Smith as defensive coordinator, with former Washington Redskins defensive backs coach Raheem Morris joining as an assistant head coach. Former Seahawks assistant offensive line coach Chris Morgan is also expected to follow Quinn to Atlanta, reports Alex Marvez of FOX Sports.
The Falcons also reportedly interviewed Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, former Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and former New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan, among others, for their head coaching position.
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Ryan ended up taking the Bills' head coaching job and Bowles replaced Ryan in New York.
Quinn, 44, replaces Mike Smith, who was fired after the Falcons went 6-10 and missed the playoffs for the second straight year. Atlanta’s defense ranked last in the NFL this season, allowing 398 yards and 26 points per game. The Falcons also had the league's worst third-down defense, allowing opponents to convert 46.8 percent of the time.
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