Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has been named the 16th head coach in Atlanta Falcons history and he brings with him an impressive defensive resume
During the 2014 regular season, Quinn's defensive unit led the league in: yards per game (267.1), yards allowed per play (4.6), first downs allowed per game (17.3), fewest penalties (70), passing yards allowed per game (185.6), total points (254). (Photo courtesy of Seahawks.com)
During Dan Quinn's first year as defensive coordinator in Seattle, the Seahawks led the league in points allowed (231), yards allowed (4,378) and takeaways (39).
During the 2014 regular season, Quinn's defensive unit led the league in: yards per game (267.1), yards allowed per play (4.6), first downs allowed per game (17.3), fewest penalties (70), passing yards allowed per game (185.6), total points (254). (Photo courtesy of Seahawks.com)
During Dan Quinn's first year as defensive coordinator in Seattle, the Seahawks led the league in points allowed (231), yards allowed (4,378) and takeaways (39).
During Dan Quinn's first year as defensive coordinator in Seattle, the Seahawks led the league in points allowed (231), yards allowed (4,378) and takeaways (39).
Seven of Dan Quinn's 10 seasons as an NFL coach saw opponents average less than one rushing touchdown per game, including three seasons of 10 or fewer total rushing touchdowns allowed. (Photo courtesy of Seahawks.com)
Dan Quinn has coached four NFL defensive lines: the San Francisco 49ers (2003-04), the Miami Dolphins (2005-06), the New York Jets (2007-08) and the Seattle Seahawks (2009-10, 2013-14). (Photo courtesy of Seahawks.com)
Dan Quinn has coached four NFL defensive lines: the San Francisco 49ers (2003-04), the Miami Dolphins (2005-06), the New York Jets (2007-08) and the Seattle Seahawks (2009-10, 2013-14).
During the 2014 regular season, Quinn's defensive unit led the league in: yards per game (267.1), yards allowed per play (4.6), first downs allowed per game (17.3), fewest penalties (70), passing yards allowed per game (185.6), total points (254). (Photo courtesy of Seahawks.com)
During Dan Quinn's first year as defensive coordinator in Seattle, the Seahawks led the league in points allowed (231), yards allowed (4,378) and takeaways (39).
Dan Quinn has coached four NFL defensive lines: the San Francisco 49ers (2003-04), the Miami Dolphins (2005-06), the New York Jets (2007-08) and the Seattle Seahawks (2009-10, 2013-14).
During Dan Quinn's first year as defensive coordinator in Seattle, the Seahawks led the league in points allowed (231), yards allowed (4,378) and takeaways (39). (Photo courtesy of Seahawks.com)
Dan Quinn has coached four NFL defensive lines: the San Francisco 49ers (2003-04), the Miami Dolphins (2005-06), the New York Jets (2007-08) and the Seattle Seahawks (2009-10, 2013-14).
During the 2014 regular season, Quinn's defensive unit led the league in: yards per game (267.1), yards allowed per play (4.6), first downs allowed per game (17.3), fewest penalties (70), passing yards allowed per game (185.6), total points (254). (Photo courtesy of Seahawks.com)
During Dan Quinn's first year as defensive coordinator in Seattle, the Seahawks led the league in points allowed (231), yards allowed (4,378) and takeaways (39). (Photo courtesy of Seahawks.com)
During Dan Quinn's first year as defensive coordinator in Seattle, the Seahawks led the league in points allowed (231), yards allowed (4,378) and takeaways (39).
Seven of Dan Quinn's 10 seasons as an NFL coach saw opponents average less than one rushing touchdown per game, including three seasons of 10 or fewer total rushing touchdowns allowed. (Photo courtesy of Seahawks.com)
During Dan Quinn's first year as defensive coordinator in Seattle, the Seahawks led the league in points allowed (231), yards allowed (4,378) and takeaways (39).
Seven of Dan Quinn's 10 seasons as an NFL coach saw opponents average less than one rushing touchdown per game, including three seasons of 10 or fewer total rushing touchdowns allowed.
Dan Quinn was the defensive coordinator at the University of Florida from 2011-12 and he coached his defenses into the NCAA's top 10.
During Dan Quinn's first year as defensive coordinator in Seattle, the Seahawks led the league in points allowed (231), yards allowed (4,378) and takeaways (39). (Photo courtesy of Seahawks.com)
During the 2014 regular season, Quinn's defensive unit led the league in: yards per game (267.1), yards allowed per play (4.6), first downs allowed per game (17.3), fewest penalties (70), passing yards allowed per game (185.6), total points (254). (Photo courtesy of Seahawks.com)
In New York, Dan Quinn coached the Jets (2008) to a fifth-ranked defense in yards-per-carry (3.7), seventh in sacks (41) and ninth in rushing yards allowed per game (94.9).
Dan Quinn has coached four NFL defensive lines: the San Francisco 49ers (2003-04), the Miami Dolphins (2005-06), the New York Jets (2007-08) and the Seattle Seahawks (2009-10, 2013-14). (Photo courtesy of Seahawks.com)
During the 2014 regular season, Quinn's defensive unit led the league in: yards per game (267.1), yards allowed per play (4.6), first downs allowed per game (17.3), fewest penalties (70), passing yards allowed per game (185.6), total points (254). (Photo courtesy of Seahawks.com)
During Dan Quinn's first year as defensive coordinator in Seattle, the Seahawks led the league in points allowed (231), yards allowed (4,378) and takeaways (39).
During Dan Quinn's first year as defensive coordinator in Seattle, the Seahawks led the league in points allowed (231), yards allowed (4,378) and takeaways (39). (Photo courtesy of Seahawks.com)
Seven of Dan Quinn's 10 seasons as an NFL coach saw opponents average less than one rushing touchdown per game, including three seasons of 10 or fewer total rushing touchdowns allowed.
Seven of Dan Quinn's 10 seasons as an NFL coach saw opponents average less than one rushing touchdown per game, including three seasons of 10 or fewer total rushing touchdowns allowed.
During Dan Quinn's first year as defensive coordinator in Seattle, the Seahawks led the league in points allowed (231), yards allowed (4,378) and takeaways (39).
Dan Quinn was the defensive coordinator at the University of Florida from 2011-12 and he coached his defenses into the NCAA's top 10.
During Dan Quinn's first year as defensive coordinator in Seattle, the Seahawks led the league in points allowed (231), yards allowed (4,378) and takeaways (39).
During the 2014 regular season, Quinn's defensive unit led the league in: yards per game (267.1), yards allowed per play (4.6), first downs allowed per game (17.3), fewest penalties (70), passing yards allowed per game (185.6), total points (254). (Photo courtesy of Seahawks.com)
During Dan Quinn's first year as defensive coordinator in Seattle, the Seahawks led the league in points allowed (231), yards allowed (4,378) and takeaways (39). (Photo courtesy of Seahawks.com)
During Dan Quinn's first year as defensive coordinator in Seattle, the Seahawks led the league in points allowed (231), yards allowed (4,378) and takeaways (39). (Photo courtesy of Seahawks.com)
During the 2014 regular season, Quinn's defensive unit led the league in: yards per game (267.1), yards allowed per play (4.6), first downs allowed per game (17.3), fewest penalties (70), passing yards allowed per game (185.6), total points (254). (Photo courtesy of Seahawks.com)
The Atlanta Falcons today announced that Dan Quinn has been named the team's head coach.
Quinn becomes the 16th head coach in Atlanta Falcons history and takes over the club after serving as the Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator for the last two seasons (2013-14). During that span, Quinn oversaw the NFL's top defensive unit as Seattle led the League allowing 270.4 yards per game, 15.2 points per game, and 178.8 passing yards per game while holding opponents to 91.6 rushing yards per game. Seattle became the fourth team in NFL history to lead the league in fewest points and yards allowed in back-to-back seasons, and the first since the 1985-86 Chicago Bears.
In 2014, Quinn's defense led the NFL in scoring defense (15.9), total defense (267.1), and passing yards (185.6), while ranking third in rushing yards (81.5). The Seahawks also boasted the League's top defensive unit in 2013, en route to a win over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII.
"This is an exciting day for the Atlanta Falcons franchise and our fans," said Falcons Owner and Chairman Arthur Blank. "Dan is a talented football coach who has a deep and diverse history in the game, which will serve us well. As we got to know Dan during the interview process, it became clear that he has a definitive plan for our football team and what it will take to win on a consistent basis. He also has a proven ability to develop players by maximizing their individual strengths. For these and many other reasons, Dan became our top pick, and I'm confident our players, staff, fans and community will be proud to have him represent the Falcons.
"I would like to personally thank Seahawks coach Pete Carroll for his patience and support during our head coach search," added Blank. "I'm sure the Seahawks will be sorry to see Dan leave, but no one has been more supportive of this opportunity for Dan than Pete."
Quinn got his start coaching the defensive line at William and Mary in 1994, followed by a season at Virginia Military Institute. He held the same position with Hofstra for four seasons before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2000.
Quinn began his NFL coaching career in San Francisco as its defensive assistant in 2001. After two seasons, he spent the next six years coaching the defensive lines for the San Francisco 49ers (2003-04), Miami Dolphins (2005-06) and New York Jets (2007-08). While at the Dolphins, the defense ranked third in the NFL with 96 sacks. Miami also finished third in the NFL in yards per play (4.7) and fourth in the league in yards per carry (3.6). In 2008, the Jets defense ranked fifth in the NFL in yards per carry (3.7), seventh in sacks (41), and ninth in rushing yards per game (94.9). The Jets were also sixth in the AFC in yards per play (5.2) and third-down defense (38.6).
Quinn originally joined the Seahawks in 2009 as assistant head coach and defensive line coach. He left Seattle in 2011 to become the defensive coordinator and defensive line coach at the University of Florida, where his defenses ranked in the top 10 in the country. In his first season with the Gators, his defense ranked eighth nationally in total defense (299.5), seventh in passing defense (166.8), and second in third-down defense (27.12 percent). He returned to the Seahawks in 2013 as defensive coordinator.
"I am grateful for this opportunity, and I am excited to be the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons," Quinn said. "This felt like the right fit from the beginning, and I want to thank Mr. Blank for his resolve as this was an extended and complicated process. My goal is to build upon the foundation that has been laid here and to play a physical brand of football as we build a championship caliber team."
Quinn, 44, was born in Morristown, New Jersey. He was a four-year letter winner and two-time co-captain at Division III Salisbury (Md.) State as a defensive lineman, where he recorded 139 tackles and eight tackles for loss. He also lettered in track and held the school record in the hammer throw. He was inducted into the Salisbury State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005.
Quinn's wife, Stacey, joins him in Atlanta.
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