Dan Quinn addresses NFL future, head coaching opportunities

With the Dallas Cowboys defense being one of the best in the NFL this season, defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has been brought up as an option for NFL coaching jobs. Quinn was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons from 2015 to 2020 before joining the Cowboys as defensive coordinator.

Dan Quinn’s NFL future options

“I wasn’t coming here to look what my next job would be,” stated Quinn about the idea of becoming a head coach again. “I wanted to come in here, have a blast and hopefully kick ass. If [head coaching opportunities] come, I’ll be ready for them. But I’m having a blast being right here with this crew and going for it.”

Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy hired Dan Quinn as their defensive coordinator to replace Mike Nolan. The difference in Dallas’ defense has been incredible under Quinn’s leadership, as Quinn has made use of every body available to him throughout the year.

The emergence of rookie Micah Parsons as a potential defensive player of the year candidate has been largely a result of Quinn finding unique ways to play him on defense. With the NFC East title already locked up, the Cowboys are working to secure home-field advantage for as long as possible in the playoffs.

Expectations for Dallas are high heading into January, and Quinn’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. With the NFL regular season nearing its end, coaching vacancies will need to be filled and Quinn’s name will be one that comes up.

Quinn served as the Falcons head coach for five seasons before being fired in his sixth year. He left the Falcons with an overall record of 43-42, and 3-2 in the playoffs. The highlight of his time in Atlanta was a Super Bowl appearance, where the Falcons were just over a quarter away from winning it all. Unfortunately, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots completed one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history after trailing 28-3 late in the third quarter.

Quinn also has a win as head coach of the Cowboys, when he was forced to step in for McCarthy against the New Orleans Saints. McCarthy was out for the game with a positive COVID-19 test, and Quinn took over head coaching duties in the win.