Dan Quinn to return as Cowboys’ defensive coordinator for 2023 season

FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has pulled his name out for any head coaching vacancies and will remain in his current position.

Quinn, who had interviewed with Arizona, Denver and Indianapolis, informed coach Mike McCarthy of the decision Thursday afternoon.

“We’re all extremely excited to have Dan back,” McCarthy said. “Just had a chance to visit with him a short time ago and this is big for us. It gives us continuity and definitely what we accomplished the last two years and build off that, and frankly on a personal note, I can’t tell you how thankful I am.”

Quinn was in the same situation last year when several teams inquired about his services but Cowboys’ owner and general manager Jerry Jones convinced him to stay.

This time, it’s more about a comfort level with this franchise, something Quinn has always sought.

Quinn had a scheduled interview with Indianapolis for Saturday and just completed a second interview with Arizona before reaching a decision to remain in Dallas.

The Cowboys had made several staff changes, which included not renewing the contract of defensive special consultant George Edwards and assistant defensive line coach Leon Lett.

If Quinn had departed, Joe Whitt Jr., the Cowboys’ secondary/defensive game coordinator, was in line to replace him.

Now Quinn returns to a Cowboys’ team that led the NFL in takeaways the last two seasons and has emerging talent in cornerback Trevon Diggs and linebacker Micah Parsons.

“It’s a bunch of reasons, I think it’s the staff, the players,” McCarthy said of Quinn’s reasoning. “He’s been a head coach, he understands at this point in his life how hard it is to win a Super Bowl. All those things play into that. I think clearly Dan is in a position to be selective and I’m extremely excited about the decision.”

McCarthy had less to say about offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.

When asked about Moore, McCarthy said that the evaluation process for him and other Cowboys coaches is still ongoing.

Here’s a timeline of interviews and interview requests for Cowboys assistant coaches this offseason:

Dan Quinn

— On Thursday, Jan. 26, Quinn committed to return to Dallas in 2023, a person familiar with the situation told The Dallas Morning News. McCarthy later announced his return after his press conference.

— Quinn had an interview scheduled with the Indianapolis Colts for Jan. 28.

— On Wednesday, Jan. 25, the Arizona Cardinals interviewed Quinn a second time for their head coaching opening, vacated by Kliff Kingsbury.

— On Saturday, Jan. 21, the Cardinals requested to interview Quinn for their head coaching gig, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

— On Friday, Jan. 20, the Denver Broncos interviewed Quinn in person for their head coaching position, which was left vacant by Nathaniel Hackett, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. He also interviewed for the Colts job virtually.

— On Tuesday, Jan. 17, the Colts requested to interview Quinn for their vacant head coaching position.

— On Monday, Jan. 9, the Broncos requested to interview Quinn for their vacant head coaching postition.

Kellen Moore

— On Thursday, Jan. 26, the Carolina Panthers agreed to terms with Frank Reich to become their next head coach. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Moore “really stood out” in the interview process and made it a “very tough decision” for the Panthers.

— On Tuesday, Jan. 24, the Carolina Panthers interviewed Moore for their head coaching vacancy, a person with knowledge of the talks said. The position was filled by interim coach Steve Wilks in the regular season after Matt Rhule was fired.

— On Wednesday, Jan. 11, the Panthers requested to interview Moore for their head coaching opening.

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