Cowboys BREAKING: Joe Whitt Jr. Cancels Interview, Hired by Dan Quinn in Washington

Dallas Cowboys BREAKING: Joe Whitt Jr. Cancels Interview, Hired by Dan Quinn in Washington

FRISCO - Both “interviews” were formalities, really.

Joe Whitt Jr. was scheduled to interview with the Washington Commanders for the defensive coordinator job under their new head coach Dan Quinn.

But he was always going to be offered that job if he wanted it. And once we were told a few days ago that Quinn and Whitt are “attached at the hip”?

We knew Whitt, Dallas’ top defensive aide here at The Star for the last three years, was gone.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys had set up Monday interviews with candidates to replace Quinn. And one of the in-house candidates and one of the interviews was to be with Whitt. …

With the Cowboys knowing all along that such a visit might never occur.

On Sunday night, Whitt did indeed say goodbye to his bosses in Dallas while accepting the coordinator job in Washington.

Whitt was not a lock to win the Dallas job; a clear Cowboys priority is to consider a more veteran coordinator, maybe one with head coach experience. … A home-run hire'' is how owner Jerry Jones’ goal has been stated to us.

Cowboys EXCLUSIVE: Jerry Plans 'Home-Run Hire' at Coach - Anonymous NFL Owner

In addition to the in-house candidates like Whitt, when the 9 a.m. schedule of visits begin (Jones has revealed that clock detail), staffers Aden Durde and Al Harris will merit interest.

But the Cowboys have set up early-week meetings with Mike Zimmer and Ron Rivera, two long-time NFL coordinators who also have head-coaching experience - something valued by both the Jones family and by Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy.

Cowboys Move Wink to 'The Mix'

Veteran coordinator Wink Martindale is also on the radar here. 

Other wait-and-see names could exist in the form of Brandon Staley and Mike Vrabel. But for Whitt and the Cowboys? The wait is over.