Report: Seahawks may be interested in Cowboys DC Dan Quinn for open head coaching job

Following the end of longtime head coach Pete Carroll’s tenure with the Seahawks, ESPN’s Adam Schefter already has one potential name for the open Seattle gig.

The news of Carroll’s departure broke Wednesday afternoon, and within minutes, Schefter and Ian Rapoport both tweeted out that current Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn could be a name at the top of the list for the head coaching vacancy. Here was that report from Schefter:

“Seattle is expected to be interested in, amongst others, in Cowboys’ defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, per sources. Quinn worked with Seattle from 2009-2010, and again 2013-14.”

Quinn got his first defensive coordinator job under Carroll back during the glory days of the Legion of Doom, when Russell Wilson and that vaunted Seahawk defense made two Super Bowl trips and hoisted the Lombardi Trophy in 2014. However, Quinn departed before the return trip in 2015 to serve as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.

Quinn would lead a quick rebuild of the Falcons and got back to the Big Game within a few years, where Atlanta infamously faced the Patriots in a game they’d lose after building a 28-3 lead in the first half. It was downhill from there and eventually Quinn was let go by the Falcons after the 2020 season.

That was his only run as an NFL head coach, as Quinn joined up with Mike McCarthy and has been coaching some excellent Cowboy defenses here in the early 2020s. Now, he appears primed for a potential second chance as the head guy — and back where it all began.

Report of Carroll’s firing

By On3’s Nick Kosko

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll was fired by the team Wednesday, first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. However, there could be a twist.

A shocker in Seattle: Pete Carroll is expected to be out as the Seahawks head coach, per sources,” Schefter wrote on Twitter. “He still could remain in the organization, but not as the head coach.”

Carroll’s Seahawks just missed out on returning to the postseason in 2023. Jody Allen, the Chair of the Seattle Seahawks, released a statement.

“After thoughtful meetings and careful consideration for the best interest of the franchise, we have amicably agreed with Pete Carroll that his role will evolve from Head Coach to remain with the organization as an advisor,” the statement read.

“Pete is the winningest coach in Seahawks history, brought the city its first Super Bowl title, and created a tremendous impact over the past 14 years on the field and in the community. His expertise in leadership and building a championship culture will continue as an integral part of our organization moving forward. Pete will always be a beloved member of the Seahawks family.”