NFL Rumors: Cowboys Hire Dan Quinn as Defensive Coordinator

Dallas was searching for a new defensive coordinator after firing Mike Nolan last week.

Former Falcons head coach Dan Quinn will be named the Cowboys' new defensive coordinator, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. 

Quinn reportedly flew to Dallas on Monday for an in-person interview after talking with Cowboys officials on Zoom over the weekend. He was previously joined by Falcons secondary coach Joe Whitt and Panthers defensive passing game coordinator Jason Simmons as the three known candidates for the position, per reports Rapoport.

The Cowboys needed a new defensive coordinator after firing Mike Nolan last week, and his successor will have to overhaul a Cowboys defense that had one of its worst seasons in franchise history.

Last October, the Falcons fired Quinn following their 0–5 start to the 2020 campaign. In six seasons, he amassed a 43–42 record and led the Falcons to a Super Bowl appearance in his second year with the team. However, Quinn was unable to oversee a defensive turnaround for the Falcons in 2020, and the team allowed 32.2 points per game under his leadership.

Quinn previously served as the Seahawks' defensive coordinator for two seasons before joining Atlanta in 2015.

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