NFL

Dan Quinn to remain the Cowboys' defensive coordinator despite head coach interviews

By Sports Desk January 26, 2023

Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has informed teams that he is no longer pursuing a head coaching job and will remain in his current position in 2023.

The update was reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero on Thursday, after Quinn had interviewed for head coach roles with the Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos this offseason.

The Cowboys' defense has been transformed under Quinn the past two seasons, ranking seventh in scoring in 2021 (21.1 points allowed per game) and fifth this season (20.1).

Quinn was named the Assistant Coach of the Year by the Associated Press in 2021.

Addressing the positive news for the franchise, head coach Mike McCarthy expressed his relief in retaining one of his most valuable assistant's.

"We're all extremely excited to have Dan back," he said. "I spoke with Dan a short while ago, and this is big for us.

"It gives us continuity, definitely in what we established these last two years, to build off of that. And frankly, on a personal note, I can't tell you how thankful I am."

The Cowboys head into the offseason looking to improve on a promising – but ultimately disappointing – 2022 campaign. After a 12-5 regular season record, Dallas handled the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card round but lost 19-12 to the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round on Sunday.

Meanwhile, offensive coordinator Kellen Moore continues to be interviewed for head coaching jobs.

Despite keeping Quinn and head coach Mike McCarthy in place, the Cowboys’ coaching staff will have several new faces in 2023 after the club chose not to renew the contracts of six assistants.

Among the coaches not returning next season are assistant head coach Rob Davis and senior defensive assistant George Edwards, along with offensive line coach and former Miami Dolphins head man Joe Philbin.

Edwards and Quinn have been given most of the credit for developing two-time All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons.

A journeyman defensive line coach from 2003-2012, Quinn rose to prominence as the coordinator of the Seattle Seahawks’ defenses in 2013-14, led by the "Legion of Boom" secondary.

The Seahawks made back-to-back Super Bowl appearances in those two seasons and secured one title.

Quinn left Seattle to be the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, a job he held for six seasons with a 43-42 record and one Super Bowl appearance.

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