Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons

Quinn hired as Cowboys’ new defensive coordinator

Falcons head coach Dan Quinn talks with referee Walt Coleman (65) in the second half against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (Michael Ainsworth/AP)

Credit: AP

Credit: AP

Falcons head coach Dan Quinn talks with referee Walt Coleman (65) in the second half against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (Michael Ainsworth/AP)
By
Updated Jan 12, 2021

Former Falcons coach Dan Quinn has agreed to terms to become the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys.

Quinn confirmed his interview with the Cowboys Monday to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Quinn was terminated by the Falcons on Oct. 11 after the team got off to a 0-5 start. NFL media first reported that Dallas was interested in Quinn.

The other two candidates included Falcons secondary coach Joe Whitt Jr. and Carolina’s defensive passing game coordinator Jason Simmons.

The 50-year-old Quinn replaces Mike Nolan, who lasted just one season under Mike McCarthy in Dallas.

Quinn had a virtual interview Sunday with the Cowboys who allowed a franchise-record 473 points (29.6 per game) and finished 31st in the NFL in run defense while going 6-10.

In five-plus seasons with Atlanta, Quinn compiled a 43-42 record, including a Super Bowl trip in 2016. He served as Seattle’s defensive coordinator before coaching in Atlanta.

Falcons’ 2021 draft position

1. Jacksonville Jaguars

2. New York Jets

3. Miami Dolphins (via Houston)

4. Falcons

5. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bow Tie Chronicles Podcasts:

For more content about the Atlanta Falcons

Follow me on Twitter @DorlandoAJC

On Facebook at Atlanta Falcons News Now

Atlanta Falcons coverage on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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.

Follow D. Orlando Ledbetter on facebookFollow D. Orlando Ledbetter on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins attempts a pass during minicamp at the team's training facility on June 11, 2025, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Kirk Cousins’ salary puts Falcons’ payroll at top of NFL

With quarterback Kirk Cousins leading the way with $40 million in salary, the Falcons have a total payroll of $284,131,702 across 71 players.

34m ago

The case to win the NFC South: Falcons projected to have top-10 offense

To win the NFC South, the Falcons’ retooled defense must make major strides under new defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich.

1h ago

Jalon Walker bringing Georgia football’s teamwork culture to Falcons defense

Georgia football has a saying for its defensive line unit that is now ingrained into the mind of former Bulldog and Falcons first-round draft pick Jalon Walker.

The Latest

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins attempts a pass during minicamp at the team's training facility on June 11, 2025, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Kirk Cousins’ salary puts Falcons’ payroll at top of NFL

34m ago

The case to win the NFC South: Falcons projected to have top-10 offense

1h ago

Love and discipline: Michael Penix Jr. received both from his dad

Featured

Since 2023, customers of Georgia Power, which operates Plant Vogtle, have experienced six PSC-approved rate hikes. Polls open Tuesday for primary elections to select candidates for Georgia’s powerful utility regulatory board. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Today’s primary could help determine how much you pay for electricity

It’s the first time Georgia’s approximately 8.4 million registered voters have had the opportunity to vote in a Public Service Commission primary election in three years.

Atlanta finally has new tree protection rules. Some say it’s not enough.

Several Atlanta City Council members said they believe more needs to be done to protect trees in the “city in the forest."

1h ago

Feds say Georgia tax preparer’s fraud likely cost the U.S. millions

Years of fraud by a Georgia tax return preparer has likely cost the IRS millions of dollars, the Justice Department says in a lawsuit seeking to put her out of business.