The Dallas Cowboys lost their defensive coordinator in Dan Quinn on Thursday, as he will now become the new head coach of the Washington Commanders. Quinn’s tenure with Dallas lasted three years, coming to an end with a playoff loss of disgusting proportions. While Dan Quinn left the Cowboys with his seat virtually on fire, his players learned a lot from him. Here’s what’s next on Dallas’ radar and who could fill in for the currently vacant Defensive Coordinator job.
Cowboys Lose Dan Quinn to Washington Commanders: Who’s Next in Line for Defensive Coordinator Job?
Passing Game Coordinator/Secondary Coach Joe Whitt Jr.
According to Cowboys Source David Moore, Joe Whitt Jr. is now the top candidate to replace Dan Quinn as the Cowboys defensive coordinator.
Joe Whitt Jr. emerged as a defensive coordinator candidate early in the coaching rotation cycle, interviewing with Quinn’s soon-to-be Washington Commanders team. It’s not ridiculous to consider him the second-best choice on the Cowboys current coaching staff.
Whitt spent 11 seasons on McCarthy’s staff in Green Bay, working as the pass game coordinator in his final year. Oddly, he held the same title in Dan Quinn’s final season as Falcons head coach. It’s time the Cowboys give this guy a shot to coach his players.
DB’s Coach Al Harris
Ever since his emergence in the Dallas Cowboys locker room in 2020, something special has been happening in Dallas. Former no-name cornerback DaRon Bland rose to stardom, breaking defensive records. Cornerback Trevon Diggs has skyrocketed past expectations. Even ex-Cowboy cornerback Anthony Brown got better than he had been playing before Harris’ tenure.
Harris would be the ideal candidate for the defensive coordinator position. He elevated players to levels higher than they once were, players who play the toughest position in all of football. He would have a squad full of seasoned Dan Quinn Cowboys at his disposal, and a slightly new toy in LB DeMarvion Overshown.
Harris spent seven seasons under McCarthy’s thumb as a Cornerback, making the infamous interception to defeat the Seattle Seahawks in the 2004 Wild Card matchup. Safe to say, Harris has big plays both under his belt and in his future if he steps up as Cowboys defensive coordinator.
Don “Wink” Martindale
Let’s just say for argument’s sake that the Cowboys don’t promote from within to replace Dan Quinn. Martindale is a much more appealing coach than many realize.
Who does Jerry Jones want? The youngest defensive coach, the up-and-coming one, the college coach? No. It’d be hard to pass on an offer like Wink Martindale if you think like Jerry. The former Ravens’ defensive coordinator has spent the last two years with the Giants, ending his tenure in quite a messy divorce.
Martindale’s hot-and-cold Giants defense ranked no. 27 overall in 2023, but it also tied the Bills for the most takeaways (31). Hard to trust, yes. Hard to deny, also yes. The market is starting to run thin with coaches who aren’t…well… Ron Rivera and Brandon Staley. It’s best to go with the defensive-focused choice, and Martindale could be the safest on the market.
Dan Quinn left a hole the Cowboys should fix with urgency. Martindale could be the man to patch their biggest wound.
Mike Vrabel
“I think we’ll push the hell out of (the offseason),” said Jerry Jones at the Senior Bowl. “It will be going all in on different people than you’ve done in the past,”
If you’re about the talk, then be about the walk, Jerry.
Mike Vrabel is on the radar regarding defensive coordinator and head coach positions. While the head coach wheel has officially finished turning, the door shouldn’t be shut on Vrabel on defense.
Mike McCarthy has a history of poaching head coaches and turning them into defensive coordinators. He turned former Browns head coach Mike Pettine into his defensive guru. Vrabel remains the most interesting and possibly the most polarizing coach left in rotation. Given his experience, the Cowboys should keep his upcoming interview on the docket.
Main Photo: Jason Parkhurst – USA Today Sports
