FRISCO, Texas — The vacant defensive coordinator position has been filled in Dallas. According to multiple reports, the Cowboys have reached an agreement with Dan Quinn on Monday.
Quinn was the projected external candidate to fill the role and interviews confirmed. After moving on from Mike Nolan last week, the Cowboys had virtual discussions with Quinn over the weekend that proved promising. He was flown in on Monday for an in-person interview and evidently it solidified the contract.
The former Falcons’ head coach will inherit a defense that hit an all-time low in 2020, with a franchise-worst 473 points allowed and a unit that ranked 31st in run defense. His hire means the Cowboys will likely revert to old ways, similar to the system used by Rod Marinelli and Kris Richard. Quinn will utilize a 4-3 base defense with a one-gap approach, along with cover one and three in the secondary. The current roster is tailored to fit that scheme but after the underwhelming finish in 2020, the club will look to bolster the defensive side of the ball and address talent deficiencies in the draft and free agency.
Prior to his head coaching role with the Falcons from 2015-2020, Quinn served as the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator in 2013 and 2014, where he used a 4-3 scheme and predominantly single-high safety looks and cover three in the backfield. He led the squad to a Super Bowl win following the 2014 campaign and consecutive Super Bowl appearances, returning Seattle to their famed ‘Legion of Boom’ status. Seattle concluded No.1 in yards and points allowed in his two years with the franchise.
He went on to coach the Falcons for five seasons before being let go five games into the 2020 season. Quinn held a 43-42 record in Atlanta and took the Falcons to the Super Bowl in his second year with the club.
Quinn has the resume and now will be tasked with turning the Cowboys’ defense around. The front office wasted no time in locking down Quinn to replace Mike Nolan. A new direction begins.
