3 replacements for Pete Carroll Seahawks should schedule interviews with
By John Buhler
player. 123. Defensive Coordinator. 2. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Dallas Cowboys. Dan Quinn
Dan Quinn could be making his triumphant return to the Pacific Northwest
No doubt about it. If Carroll retires, resigns or is fired, one of the first names Seattle will call is one of his former pupils in Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. After it went to hell in a hand basket during his sixth year with the Atlanta Falcons, Quinn has reestablished himself as one of the best defensive coordinators in football. Seattle would be a job he would leave Dallas for.
As with Hackett, Quinn will be almost certainly interviewing for any of the potential vacancies on the horizon. Though his Atlanta tenure was nothing short of an unmitigated disaster towards the end, Quinn is well-liked enough in the league and has done enough in his coaching career to get a second opportunity to be an NFL head coach. Does he want to stay in the shadow of his mentor?
If Seattle were to hire a defensive-minded head coach, one would think Quinn would be that guy. However, it probably serves him to go elsewhere for his second stab at being an NFL head coach. The last thing he wants is to stay in the minds of NFL fans as imitation Pete Carroll. The cliches did not work in Atlanta after three seasons, so he will need a total makeover before his next big gig.
Quinn may be a good candidate to succeed Carroll, but reaching into the past is never a great idea.