NFL insider provides update on Cowboys assistants up for head coaching vacancies
The Cowboys suffered a heartbreaking loss on Sunday to the San Francisco 49ers. Now, Dallas may have to replace one or both of their coordinators before they can get back to the playoffs.
Both defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore are hot commodities this offseason. On Monday, NFL insider Ian Rapoport provided an update on the future of the Cowboys assistants.
“There may be some changes on the Cowboys coaching staff,” revealed Rapoport. “I don’t sense anything with Mike McCarthy. Could get some movement though when it comes to assistant coaches.
“Dan Quinn – the defensive coordinator – I know he had a tough start yesterday but certainly held it down throughout the game. One of the better defensive coordinators in the NFL. He’s emerged as one of the more popular head coach candidates. Got several teams waiting to interview him. Cowboys loss is bad for the Cowboys, but definitely not bad for the teams wanting to hire a head coach. The Denver Broncos – a team I would consider Dan Quinn one of the front-runners there – they would like to interview him. The Chicago Bears, the Miami Dolphins, the Minnesota Vikings. All those teams are waiting for Dan Quinn. The fact that his team lost — probably good for them.”
Quinn did a phenomenal job with the Cowboys defense this season. However, another coaching job could be too much for Quinn to pass up if he’s offered.
Rapoport on Cowboys loss: ‘This doesn’t invalidate Kellen Moore as a head coach candidate.’
Furthermore, the most controversial decision on Sunday was the Cowboys running a quarterback run with no timeouts. Ultimately, it wasn’t executed — Dallas had the clock run out on them.
However, Rapoport states the man who called the play is still a hot coaching candidate.
“Meanwhile, for Kellen Moore – who of course is the play-caller – called the final play with Mike McCarthy’s okay as basically every play-calling situation. He’s also a hot candidate,” stated Rapoport. “I think what we do is we sort of take too much from what we see on the field in playoff games. T
“his doesn’t invalidate Kellen Moore as a head coach candidate, because being a head coach is so much more than just play-calling. He’s has several teams waiting for him as well. The Denver Broncos, the Miami Dolphins and the Minnesota Vikings.”
As you can see, both Quinn and Moore could be leaving Dallas this offseason. Mike McCarthy will have a bevy of tough decisions to make before the Cowboys can return to the playoffs.