Did Cowboys Steal Quinn From Jags Coach Urban Meyer?
FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys are working to rebuild their defensive coaching staff at the same time Urban Meyer is trying to build his first-time staff with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Naturally, some of their goals might cross purposes ... and indeed, it seems Dallas beat Meyer in at least one key pursuit.
Former Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn has a three-year deal to become the next defensive coordinator for the Cowboys, replacing the fired Mike Nolan.
The signing of Quinn, 50, set the wheels in motion for more Dallas staff-building, as his top aide in Atlanta, Joe Whitt Jr. - who also happens to be a long-time associate of head coach Mike McCarthy - was also secured at The Star.
It counts as a "get'' for Dallas to sign two of the handful of candidates interviewed by McCarthy and the Jones-led front office to McCarthy's defensive staff, charged with the responsibility of fixing a unit that in terms of points allowed, ranks as the poorest in franchise history.
READ MORE: Can Dan Quinn And The 4-3 Fix This Cowboys D?
But the signing of Quinn - who was previously the wildly-successful defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks - was almost interrupted by none other than Urban Meyer.
In between two stints with the Seahawks, Quinn was the Florida Gators' defensive coordinator from 2011-12. His time at Florida did not intersect with with Meyer working there at a head coach, winning a national championship in 2010 before moving to Ohio State. But Quinn is clearly a known commodity in college and in the NFL, and according to SI sources, Quinn was on Meyer's radar as he worked to assemble a wish-list staff for his Jaguars.
I have to get a great staff — not a good staff, a great staff,” Meyer said Friday during his introductory press conference in Jacksonville. “I’ve had a multitude of people calling, and my comment is, ‘Save the recommendation unless you feel that person is elite in all areas,’ because that’s what Jacksonville deserves and that’s what we’re gonna have on our staff.”
So, maybe Quinn is "great.''
As a head coach in Atlanta, Quinn was able to compile a record of 43-42, reaching the playoffs twice, including the Super Bowl in 2016. But that's not the best thing on his resume anymore. He favors a 4-3 defense, a driving reason for his hire in Dallas, but that's no longer the No. 1 justification of his hire, either.
Not that every decision Urban Meyer makes turns to gold - he is apparently favoring bringing in another Cowboys connection, former Dallas assistant Scott Linehan, as his offensive coordinator - but truly, if Meyer thinks Dan Quinn is the right guy to help lead the Jags, then Dallas is all-the-more justified in thinking Quinn is the same for the Cowboys.
CONTINUE READING: Should Quinn Recruit Earl Thomas To Cowboys?
