Panthers announce request to interview Cowboys DC Dan Quinn in updated coaching search list

The Carolina Panthers announced Monday they have requested to interview Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn for their head coaching vacancy.

Quinn, 53, has served as Cowboys defensive coordinator for the past three seasons. Dallas’ defense took a big jump in 2023, finishing as the No. 5 ranked unit in the league. Prior to joining the Cowboys, Quinn spent five plus seasons as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. Quinn went 43-42, leading Atlanta to a Super Bowl defeat in 2016. The Falcons relieved him of his duties after an 0-5 start to the 2020 season. Quinn famously coached the “Legion of Boom” defense in Seattle, helping lead the Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory in 2013.

Quinn turned down head coaching opportunities last offseason in favor of returning to the Cowboys this season. He recently discussed the buzz surrounding him as a head coaching candidate this time around.

“I think it’s important to know how to compartmentalize,” Quinn said, via the team’s website. “Fortunately for me in that space, any preparation you would do on that is done over the summertime. If and when that time gets called, I would certainly be ready to discuss that at a moment’s notice. It’s pretty easy these days to compartmentalize. Quite honestly, the guys that I’m able to coach are a big reason why I wanted to be back here, so I’m not gonna let that moment miss one second.”

“I didn’t want to see anybody else coaching these guys, and there was unfinished business in my mind. That was a big reason for me knowing that I had unfinished business with them, and I wanted to see that through as much as I could. I absolutely feel that way again. It’s easy to compartmentalize when you stay here now. I live my life in that space anyway, so it’s not as complicated as you might think.”

Quinn is one of nine coaches the Panthers have requested to interview up to this point.

List of coaches Panthers have requested to interview

— Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson
— Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik
— Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan
— Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn
— Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald
— Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith
— Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris
— Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales