Cowboys' Dan Quinn Moves to Seahawks & Titans Second Interviews; Big Changes in Dallas?
The Seattle Seahawks are in search of a replacement for Pete Carroll, the coach who led them for the past 14 seasons, five division titles, two Super Bowl appearances and one world championship.
Part of that success from 2013 to 2014 was with Dan Quinn, who served as the defensive coordinator under Carroll.
Quinn and Carroll
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Now, the Seahawks are exploring if Quinn should be the replacement for Carroll as their next head coach, and have moved on to a second round of interviews with the 53-year-old - with the Tennessee Titans now doing the same.
Quinn is beloved in Seattle as the architect of the "Legion of Boom" defense that was feared during his time with the Seahawks. Quinn was equally loved in Dallas as the man who designed one of the top defenses in the league that helped the Cowboys to three straight 12-5 records.
But it's the lack of playoff success that fans in Dallas seem to be tired of, and some thought it would cost head coach Mike McCarthy his job. While owner Jerry Jones remains verbally committed to McCarthy for one more season, the same locked-in tie cannot be said of Quinn, who is openly interviewing for head coaching positions.
CowboysSI.com has been told that Jones wants Quinn to return. But ...
The 48 points allowed by Quinn's defense in the Wild Card game loss to the No. 7 seed Packers has left a sour taste in some Cowboys fan's mouths, and some are calling for a change.
That change might very well occur as Seattle continues to show interest in Quinn.
As McCarthy enters a "lame duck" season with no contract beyond 2024, he could have to help usher in a new defense in Dallas in what could be his final season as coach of the Cowboys.
Or maybe the "same'' defense with a new boss, as the Cowboys likely believe that in addition to hiring from the outside, they have a trio of staffers in Joe Whitt, Al Harris and Aden Durde who might move up to coordinator.
While Dallas has seen all the regular-season success behind Quinn and McCarthy, the postseason performances have embarrassed a team that used to be so prideful of playoff success and a championship pedigree. That's all gone now, and fans have grown weary of playoff thuds.
Is that all Quinn's fault? No. But fans want someone's head to roll after a disappointing 2023, and it's not going to be McCarthy. Where might there be change? Be careful what you wish for, but it might be in Quinn's office.
