Morris County Native To Be Named Atlanta Falcons Head Coach After Super Bowl, Reports Say

When Dan Quinn orchestrated a defensive scheme that completely stonewalled the most prolific offense in NFL history for Super Bowl 48, he gained a lot of attention.

Helping coach the title-defending champion Seattle Seahawks to a second consecutive Super Bowl appearance brings more than just attention – it brings head coaching opportunities.

Quinn, of Morris Township, has spent the last two seasons as the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator. No matter who wins Super Bowl 49, he’ll be the Atlanta Falcons head coach as of Monday, Feb. 2, according to sbnation.com.

The Falcons fired their head coach, Mike Smith, after seven years on the job. The defensive-minded Quinn will have plenty of work to do, inheriting an Atlanta team whose defense was ranked last in the NFL in 2014.

Quinn’s name came up early in the postseason when the New York Jets began interviewing candidates for their head coaching vacancy, but Gang Green ended up hiring Arizona Cardinals’ defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.

In an interview with Patch in 2014, Quinn lauded his hometown and area for helping teach him the game and how to not just be a coach, but a mentor and educator in life. Quinn still has family in the area as well.

Subscribe to a free email newsletter and breaking news alerts by clicking on the Patch town name: Long Valley • Mendham-Chester • Morristown • Parsippany • Hackettstown • Morris Township • Jefferson • Hopatcong-Sparta • East Hanover-Florham Park • Madison • Chatham • Montville • Tri-Boro