The Dallas Cowboys have found their new defensive coordinator for the 2021 season, hiring former Falcons head coach Dan Quinn. Reports had Quinn as a favorite for the job before the interviewing process began.
Quinn served as the Seattle Seahawks' DC from 2013-2014 and won a Super Bowl coordinating the “Legion of Boom” defense. He also led the Falcons to a Super Bowl in 2016, though losing to the Patriots.
The #Cowboys have agreed to a deal in principle to make Dan Quinn their defensive coordinator, source said.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 11, 2021
The Cowboys have agreed to a deal with Dan Quinn to make him their next defensive coordinator, according to @TomPelissero. Looks like Dallas is going back to a defense more similar to what they played under Rod Marinelli and Kris Richard
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) January 11, 2021
Dallas also interviewed Falcons defensive assistant Joe Whitt and Panthers' assistant coach Jason Simmons. Both have history with Head Coach Mike McCarthy from their days with the Packers.
Quinn represents a bolder outside hire than McCarthy's “friends and family” circle. However, the Falcons have not had stellar defenses during his tenure as Atlanta's head coach. The move is sure to draw some criticism as well.
The Cowboys fired Mike Nolan after one abysmal season as McCarthy's handpicked defensive coordinator. Dallas' defense plummeted to one of the league's worst in 2020.
We'll see what Dan Quinn can do in 2021 to help get the Cowboys defense back on track.
