Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Dan Quinn expected to return as Cowboys DC under one circumstance

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated 1/18/24

Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has rebuffed some head-coaching opportunities in the past to remain in his current position. That may not be happening this offseason, but there remains a route for him to return to Dallas in 2024.

Even though head coach Mike McCarthy was somewhat non-committal on Thursday, ESPN’s Ed Werder reported that the expectation is that Quinn will be back with Dallas if he does not land a head-coaching job elsewhere. Quinn is in high demand as a coaching candidate and has five interviews scheduled.

The #Cowboys expect Dan Quinn to return as Mike McCarthy’s defensive coordinator should he not be hired as a head coach elsewhere.

Quinn has completed two of his five scheduled interviews for head-coaching vacancies. pic.twitter.com/UvNCjBteIL

— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) January 18, 2024

Quinn appears to have a legitimate chance of landing a job elsewhere. There is one spot in particular where he could be an ideal fit. He also seems to be more aggressive this offseason about surveying potential head-coaching jobs as opposed to last year, when he took himself out of the running fairly early in the process in order to remain with Dallas.

Quinn is well-liked by owner Jerry Jones and had even been named as a potential in-house replacement for McCarthy. His defense’s ugly performance in the NFC wild-card loss to Green Bay may have given some people second thoughts, but he remains in high demand and appears to have a job no matter what happens this offseason.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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