After his great work this season as defensive coordinator for the Cowboys, it is very likely that Dan Quinn will not continue in the position. As with Kellen Moore, several teams looking for a new head coach have been interested in the services of the former Falcons. However, of the two coordinators, Quinn is the one most likely to walk away.
Right now, Quinn is one of the finalists to be the new head coach of the Chicago Bears. It’s worth noting that the defensive coordinator was also a great candidate for that job with the Broncos. However, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Thursday that the Denver team chose Nathaniel Hackett, the Packers’ offensive coordinator.
Cowboys DC Dan Quinn left a strong impression in Denver, but Broncos were impressed with Nathaniel Hackett throughout interview process. His offensive background a plus. https://t.co/Y5mICPKAnr
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) January 27, 2022
Either way, Dan Quinn’s departure is still possible. This would leave the Cowboys looking for a new defensive coordinator, preferably one who can continue Quinn’s line of work. And, at this time, the list of potential replacements would be reduced to three.
Potential Candidates for Dallas Defensive Coordinator Job
#1 – Joe Whitt Jr.
If the plan is not to discontinue the work done in 2021, Joe Whitt Jr. would be the ideal replacement. Dallas’ current secondary line coach and pass defense coordinator was one of Quinn’s henchmen during the season. He was even in charge of calling the defensive plays in two preseason games, this after Quinn’s temporary release due to COVID-19.
Right now, Whitt has two cards in his favor. One of them is the great performance of the Dallas secondary line under his charge, which had 26 interceptions during the season. The other is his experience as a defensive assistant, which indicates he may be ready to take the next step and work as a defensive coordinator.
However, Joe Whitt Jr. is also being pursued by other teams looking for a new defensive coordinator. Giants, Steelers, Seahawks and Ravens are just some of the franchises interested. Also, if Dan Quinn takes over as head coach, he may take Whitt with him. Either way, the Dallas assistant is still an alternative to consider by the cowboy leadership.
The Giants have put in an request to interview Cowboys secondary coach Joe Whitt Jr. for their defensive coordinator spot.
The Seahawks and Ravens have also done the same for Whitt for their DC vacancies too. pic.twitter.com/o2KfU0UFBW
— Doug Rush (@TheDougRush) January 24, 2022
#2 – Brian Flores
Recently fired from his position as head coach of the Dolphins, Brian Flores is a candidate for a similar position on other teams. However, it is likely that the former Patriots will decide to emulate what Dan Quinn did in 2021: after his firing, take a position as defensive coordinator. And this is something that would fit your profile.
It is worth mentioning that Flores was an assistant for the Patriots between 2008 and 2018. In fact, in his last season, he was in charge of calling the plays in New England’s defense despite not having the position of defensive coordinator as such. He even won the Super Bowl that season. This raised his cache and took him to the Miami Dolphins the following season, where he spent three years.
Although Flores was fired from the Miami team, his numbers weren’t all bad. After a difficult 2019 campaign, the team went 19-14 in the next two seasons, coming close to the playoffs in both. However, his termination was motivated in part by his differences with the general manager of the Dolphins. This, it is worth noting, after failing to address Flores’ need for a good offensive coordinator.
With his experience as a defensive coach, Brian Flores would not be a bad option to replace Quinn. However, it remains to be seen if the coach takes a step back. Or, if you get a new opportunity in another team. In fact, Flores is sounding strong to be the Giants’ head coach.
After the hiring of GM Joe Schoen the Giants are expected to interview former Miami of Dolphins head coach Brian Flores, and also speak with Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn per @theScore . #TogetherBlue #NFL if pic.twitter.com/xLHVB1CPLi
— Average Joe Sports Talk Podcast (@joes_talk) January 21, 2022
#3 – Dennard Wilson
A third option would be someone who doesn’t have as much of an “on the radar” presence as Whitt or Flores. This is Dennard Wilson, current defensive backs coach for the Eagles.
Though he’s only been in Philadelphia for one season, Wilson’s work speaks highly of him. Analysts believe that the coach is responsible for the good level of cornerback Darius Slay in 2021. In addition, Wilson also stood out as the Jets’ defensive backs coach (2019-2020), where he had Marcus Maye and Jamal Adams under his command, among others. .
After the Eagles’ defensive performance in 2021 (not counting the two beatings the Cowboys gave him), defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon is likely to move on to another team. This would leave Dennard Wilson as a possible substitute, thus repeating the possible scenario that can occur in Dallas. However, Wilson would be an alternative for the cowboy team in the face of Quinn’s potential departure.
Dennard Wilson might be the #Eagles best choice at DC if Jonathan Gannon gets a head coach job
Wilson is viewed extremely highly by the players in the secondary and promoting from within seems like a very Nick Sirianni move#Eagles
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) January 21, 2022
What will happen to Kellen Moore?
Now, Dan Quinn hasn’t been the only Dallas coordinator to sound like a candidate for several open head-coaching jobs. Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore has already had interviews with the Jaguars, Broncos, Vikings and Dolphins, sounding like a candidate for more.
Now a recent report indicates that Moore is unlikely to leave Dallas anytime soon. This was pointed out by Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network, citing anonymous sources close to the cowboy team.
However, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport gave a more precise update Thursday afternoon. According to Rapoport, Moore is among the candidates who will have a second interview with the Miami Dolphins. According to the report, the interview would take place next week.
While Kellen Moore’s future is in doubt, there may be more changes to the Dallas coaching staff. Mike McCarthy’s continuity as head coach is not assured, and rumors point to Moore as his possible replacement. On the other hand, Sean Payton is sounding like a candidate for the job, this after announcing his departure from the Saints this week.
Among the names expected to receive second interviews from the #Dolphins: #Cowboys OC Kellen Moore, #49ers OC Mike McDaniel, and #Bills OC Brian Daboll. https://t.co/UWFy8qRlzz
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 27, 2022
Breaking update: Dan Quinn is staying in Dallas
During the morning of this Thursday it was learned that Dan Quinn communicated his decision to continue in Dallas. This was reported by Tom Pelissero, a reporter for the NFL Network.
The defensive coordinator had interviews with six different NFL teams. In fact, as we reviewed earlier, the Broncos and Bears were in strong demand for his services. However, both teams announced Nathaniel Hackett and Matt Eberflus, respectively, as new coaches on Thursday.
So the dominoes are falling fast now:
Nathaniel Hackett to the #Broncos
Matt Eberflus to the #Bears
Dan Quinn staying as #Cowboys DCSeven head coaching jobs still open … https://t.co/vrJyf9XCwY
– Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 27, 2022
At the moment, the continuity of Kellen Moore and Mike McCarthy in Dallas for next season remains to be confirmed. And although the continuity of Dan Quinn is great news, it is not yet ruled out as a potential candidate to relieve McCarthy as head of the cowboy team.
