Former Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn is the favorite to be the new Dallas Cowboys DC, sources say

FRISCO, Texas – Dan Quinn is the favorite to become the Dallas Cowboys’ next defensive coordinator, according to sources.

Quinn would take over from Mike Nolan, who was fired last week by coach Mike McCarthy, and would inherit a defense that had one of the worst seasons in Cowboys history.

Quinn, who flies to Dallas for his first interview, according to a source, was fired as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons after five games in 2020 after having held the job since 2015. He posted a record 43 -42 and took the Falcons. in the Super Bowl in its second season.

Going with Quinn would be a sign of a return to the scheme the Cowboys employed from 2013 to 19 with Monte Kiffin, Rod Marinelli and Kris Richard.

Quinn, 50, was the Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator in 2013-14 before becoming Atlanta head coach. He employed a 4-3 scheme that mostly used a unique safety appearance and helped the Seahawks to consecutive Super Bowl appearances. The Seahawks finished No. 1 in yards and points allowed in their two seasons.

Owner and CEO Jerry Jones was eager to get away from the scheme the Cowboys used during McCarthy’s freshman year because it seemed too simplistic. Nolan wore a hybrid defense that would wear various coverages and disguises that would confuse crimes, but that never really happened.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Nolan and the defense staff had to implement their new defense virtually, with no benefit from working in the field until a reduced training camp began. The first results were disastrous, with the Cowboys allowing at least 34 points in five of the first six games.

Nolan simplified the scheme early in the season, but the defense never really took over. The Cowboys scored the most points in the franchise’s history (473) and finished with the No. 31 ranked defense.

Part of the problem was not adapting the scheme to the players. The defensive liners were now asked to attack the pitches to interrupt the plays that would slow down the blocks. Defenders didn’t play downhill and were often late in making decisions or were wrapped up by bigger offensive liners.

In her two years as Seattle coordinator, Quinn had a team that was built on defense with people like Kam Chancellor, Bobby Wagner, Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman.

I wouldn’t inherit that kind of talent in Dallas. DeMarcus Lawrence is the highest paid cowboy and had a good performance in 2020, even though he only had 6.5 sacks. Jaylon Smith led the Cowboys in attacks, but there are some questions about his future with the team due to possible salary cap issues. Leighton Vander Esch, selected in the first round in 2018, missed six games with a broken collarbone and a high ankle sprain.

Three high school members, security Xavier Woods and cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis, will become free agents. So is Aldon Smith.

Cowboys feel cornerback Trevon Diggs and defensive tackle Neville Gallimore, his second- and third-round pick in 2020, have high ceilings and sophomore safety Donovan Wilson played when he entered starting lineup.