FRISCO, Texas — For the second year in a row, Dan Quinn has decided to pass on potential head coaching jobs to become the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator.
Quinn has interviewed with the Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts in the past few weeks.
“Unfinished business in Dallas. My full focus is helping the team play championship ball in 2023,” Quinn told ESPN’s Ed Werder.
During his end-of-season news conference, coach Mike McCarthy hinted at a possible recovery, saying, “I feel good about where we are,” but that “we’ll give it the right amount of time for Dan.”
Shortly after the session ended, McCarthy confirmed Quinn’s decision to stay.
“We’re all very excited to have Don back,” McCarthy said. “I had the opportunity to meet him a little while ago. It’s huge for us. It gives continuity and certainly what we’ve accomplished and built on in the last two years. Obviously, on a personal note, I can’t. Tell me how grateful I am.”
The Cowboys became the first team since the 1972-74 Pittsburgh Steelers to lead the NFL in scoring in consecutive years. The Cowboys finished tied for fifth in points allowed and 12th in yards per game. Micah Parsons Finalist for Defensive Player of the Year and named first-team All-Pro for second consecutive season. Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence And Trevon Dix All of them were named to the Pro Bowl.
“I think there are a few reasons,” McCarthy said. “I think it’s the personnel, I think it’s the players. I think he’s been a head coach and he understands how difficult it is to win a Super Bowl at this point in his career. So I think all of those things will play into it. I think. Clearly. Dan has been selected and I am very excited about this decision.”
Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore interviewed this week with the Carolina Panthers, who eventually hired Frank Reich. McCarthy said he has yet to have a full meeting with Moore about the offense and the future. The Cowboys rank fourth in points per game and 11th in yards per game in 2022, despite being without a quarterback. Doc Prescott For five games with a broken thumb.
But the season ended with a 19–12 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round of the playoffs, leading to questions about Moore’s contract.
“I really don’t want to play this game,” McCarthy said. “Kellen Moore, like any other coach, will be evaluated. Every coach will be evaluated. Evaluation, it’s more than one day.”
On Thursday, McCarthy confirmed that assistant head coach Rob Davis, senior defensive assistant George Edwards, offensive line coach Joe Philbin, running backs coach Skip Peat, assistant defensive line coach Leon Lett and quality control coach Kyle Valero will not return.
“It’s that time of year when you evaluate everything,” McCarthy said. “The longer I do this, obviously the harder it gets. There’s the personal element. Obviously, you’re talking about some of the relationships I’ve been involved in for a long time. That part is probably the hardest for me.”
McCarthy’s immediate future is not in question. He is under contract until 2024. The Cowboys won 12 games in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1994-95 and became the first Cowboys coach since Sean Caley in 1998 to lead a team to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. -99.
Despite the success, McCarthy’s job status has been in question for the past two years, even if it hasn’t been an issue for owner and general manager Jerry Jones.
“As far as my relationship with Jerry goes, we’re in a better place, to use his words,” McCarthy said. “The partnership that we have, he’s excited. He told me several times this week that I want to coach here like coach (Tom) Landry did (29 years). I said, ‘Well, that’s a long time.'”
