Sources: Cowboys Coach Joe Whitt Frontrunner to Replace 'Shining Light' Dan Quinn as Coordinator

Sources: Dallas Cowboys Coach Joe Whitt Frontrunner to Replace 'Shining Light' Dan Quinn as Coordinator

FRISCO - The good news about the NFL Coaching Carousel as it regards Joe Whitt Jr., the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive passing game coordinator and secondary coach? He has spent recent offseasons very much on the NFL defensive coordinator radar, drawing interest from the Ravens, Colts, Seahawks and, sources tell us, at least three other clubs.

The to be determined news: Dallas coordinator Dan Quinn is getting the head coach job with the Washington Commanders … 

So we don’t know if Whitt, his top lieutenant, is staying at The Star.

“It’s partly about working for that man,” Whitt Jr. recently told CowboysSI.com, speaking of Quinn. “He’s a bright, shining light to work for and to work with. During tough times, his light shows the way.”

So would Whitt want to follow DQ to DC? Sources tell CowboysSI.com that Whitt should be considered the front-runner as Dallas’ new coordinator. But that’s certainly not locked in yet.

Cowboys BREAKING: Quinn Hired Away

Additionally, Whitt Jr., 45, long dreamed of wearing the star well before he joined the Cowboys staff in January 2021 after having been a protege at different stops of both coach Mike McCarthy and Quinn.

“It’s that star,” Whitt Jr. says. “It is just something I wanted to do.”

Along with Quinn, Whitt Jr. was part of a complete turnaround of the 2021 Dallas defense. Their time to climb is here.

But, Joe says, mentioning his father, an iconic coaching and leadership figure in Alabama, “Dad always told me, ‘You do the best job with the job that you have, and your next opportunity will come. So I’m not worried about it. When that time comes, I’m ready.”

Other names in the Dallas vs. Washington assistant mix are Cowboys staffers Al Harris and Aden Durde. And for intrigue’s sake? Mike Vrabel, Brandon Staley and Ron Rivera are presently unemployed.