The Atlanta Falcons have reached a five-year deal with former Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to be their head coach. The deal has been expected for a while, but could not be officially agreed to until the Seahawks’ seasons was finished, which it was after a 28-24 Super Bowl loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday night. The Falcons are expected to introduce Quinn at a press conference on Tuesday.
After leading statistically the best defenses in back-to-back seasons, Quinn was one of the hottest names available this off-season. He is expected to have strong control over roster decisions, and there is already a majority of his staff in place. Kyle Shanahan will be Quinn’s offensive coordinator while Richard Smith will handle the defensive coordinator duties. Former NFL head coach and long-time friend of Quinn Raheem Morris will be the assistant head coach and defensive backs coach.
Quinn will bring the Falcons a strong identity on the defensive side of the ball, and that is something that they desperately need. The Falcons gave up 26.1 points per game in 2014, the sixth worst total in the league while also allowing 398.3 total yards per game, the most in the NFL.
Quinn will bring his attacking and aggressive style of 4-3 defense to the Falcons, one season after the team attempted to make a change to a 3-4 defense. Expect personnel changes aplenty on the defensive side of the ball.
The defensive guru will replace Mike Smith, who was fired by the Falcons after a disappointing 6-10 2014 season.