Why Dan Quinn might be Seahawks new head coach after 2023 season

Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is very good at his job. He always has been, especially as a defensive coach. One of the reasons the defenses were so good for the Seahawks in 2013 and 2014 was because Quinn was Seattle’s DC in those years. One of the reasons the Cowboys’ defense is very good is because it has Quinn to lead them.

For all the hand-wringing some 12s do about head coach Pete Carroll, Carroll is also very good at his job. In 13 seasons with Seattle, Carroll’s teams have made the playoffs 10 times. Many franchises dream of that kind of success. And to be fair, it’s easy to get a bit spoiled with it. Sure, Seattle has only won one Super Bowl in that time, but that’s still one more than many other teams.

The Seahawks also have some very good young pieces on defense that with the right coaching and scheme, should be able to grow into a very good squad. Teams with excellent defenses, of course, not only give themselves a chance to win big in the regular season but a great defense can carry the team well into the playoffs. Just like Seattle’s teams in the early 2010s.

Dan Quinn would make sense as the Seahawks next head coach

Once Carroll decides to step down – he won’t be outright fired and doesn’t deserve to be – he should have a say in who replaces him. Carroll isn’t just the head coach currently, he is also Vice President of Football Operations so he would continue to have input on how the team is put together, It makes sense to bring in a guy who has head coaching experience but also one Carroll and general manager John Schneider are familiar with. Quinn fits that.

Quinn wasn’t a failure during his time as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons either. From 2015 to 2020, Atlanta went to the playoffs twice and the Super Bowl once. It’s the Super Bowl loss that probably stings Quinn worse. After getting out to a 28-3 lead in the third quarter, the Falcons folded and the Patriots came back and won the game. But Quinn was still a good enough coach to get his team to the Super Bowl in the first place.

Quinn has had multiple head coaching interviews over the last two seasons. In the past few weeks, Quinn has interviewed with the Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals, and Indianapolis Colts. He chose to stay as the DC with the Cowboys, however. At least through 2023. But Dallas’ head coach is Mike McCarthy whose contract runs through 2024.

Pete Carroll is a young 71 years old and could coach as many more years as he wants. But the Seahawks are still somewhat of a team in transition and getting younger. It would make sense if Carroll does decide to step down after next year to bring in a coach like Dan Quinn. Carroll knows Quinn and so does Schneider. There would be a seamless regime change at head coach.

Maybe Dan Quinn doesn’t want to be a head coach anymore or maybe he just hasn’t liked his opportunities. But if the opportunity were to arise to be the HC with Seattle would Quinn take it? It would be good for the Seahawks if he did.