Sports

Falcons appear ready to move on Dan Quinn

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, right, celebrates with defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, left, after they defeated the St. Louis Rams 20-6 in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Scott Eklund)
Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, right, celebrates with defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, left, after they defeated the St. Louis Rams 20-6 in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Scott Eklund)
Jan 18, 2015

FLOWERY BRANCH – Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is at the forefront of the Falcons' head coaching search, but if there's a major bump in the road, Detroit defensive coordinator Teryl Austin is still available to the team.

Of the eight people interviewed for the position, which became open after Mike Smith was fired on Dec. 29, Austin is the only one to have a second interview. Quinn is scheduled to join him as early as Monday.

The Falcons are on standby.

If Seattle wins today in the NFC championship game, they're off to interview him in Seattle.

The Falcons' options are open if Seattle losses. They'll likely dispatch a plane and bring him back to Atlanta for an interview and the final decision-making process.

The Falcons, who are being assisted by a corporate search firm, are the only team that fired their coach on Black Monday still in the market for a head coach.

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About the Author

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

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