Report: Broncos add Dan Quinn to their list of potential head-coaching interviewees

The Broncos interviewed 10 head-coaching candidates last January. Dan Quinn was the only one with prior head-coaching experience.

Twelve months later, Quinn is back on their radar. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Monday that the Broncos requested permission to interview Quinn, currently the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator.

The #Broncos have requested permission to speak with #Cowboys DC Dan Quinn, source said. One of their top candidates last year, one of their top candidates this year.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 9, 2023

General manager George Paton said that prior head-coaching experience “certainly helps, but is not necessary.” But the first three names from outside the Broncos organization to emerge in their coaching search all not only possess prior experience — but coached in a Super Bowl.

Paton and Quinn also worked together during the 2005 and 2006 seasons.

Quinn resumed his role with the Cowboys after not getting the Broncos job last year. Dallas finished sixth in scoring defense, ninth in yards allowed per play and 13th in total defense in 2023.

His head-coaching experience comes from a 2015-2020 stint with the Atlanta Falcons. Quinn guided them to Super Bowl LI in his second season on the job, only to lose to the New England Patriots in infamous fashion, by blowing a 28-3 third-quarter lead. Atlanta went 46-44 — including playoffs — on his watch.

Quinn earned praise for identifying quality assistants. All three of his offensive coordinators in Atlanta, including Kyle Shanahan, guided top-10 offenses. Current NFL head coaches Mike McDaniel and Matt LaFleur served on Quinn’s staff, as did University of Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian. Quinn also hired Raheem Morris, the current Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator.

Rapoport also identified Morris as a “soon-to-be” candidate for the Broncos job.

But the most important line on Quinn’s resume could be the one before Atlanta. In 2013-14, he served as Seattle’s defensive coordinator. So, Quinn brings knowledge about Russell Wilson and what he was during his successful years. That could distinguish him in the search.

Wilson’s presence on the roster is far from the only aspect that is different about interviewing Quinn this time around. The people handling the interview are mostly different, too.

Last year, Joe Ellis recused himself from the bulk of the interview process in advance of the sale of the club, leaving it in the hands of several executives.

This year, new ownership will be involved, with four members of the Walton-Penner ownership group — Rob Walton, Carrie Walton Penner, Greg Penner and Condoleezza Rice — taking part, along with Paton.

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