CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers' search for the their next head coach will continue Wednesday as Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is expected to interview for the job, reports say.
Quinn, who joined the Cowboys in 2021 and was the AP Assistant Coach of the Year in the same season, will interview for Carolina's head coaching vacancy via Zoom, according to Ian Rapoport. In-person interviews are not allowed until Jan. 22, in accordance with NFL rules. Quinn is also expected to interview with the Tennessee Titans.
Who is Dan Quinn?
Most Panthers fans probably remember Quinn for his time as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. Quinn led the team from 2015 to 2020 after a successful run as Seattle's defensive coordinator, where he helped the Seahawks win Super Bowl 48.
Quinn was Atlanta's head coach for the most infamous blown lead in NFL history. Atlanta had a 28-3 lead in the third quarter before ultimately losing 34-28 in overtime to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 51. It was the largest blown lead in Super Bowl history and was the first Super Bowl to be decided in overtime.
Quinn was fired by the Falcons after an 0-5 start in 2020. He was replaced by Raheem Morris. Quinn joined head coach Mike McCarthy in Dallas for the 2021 season and immediately saw success. The Cowboys finished that first season with a 12-5 record. He has interviewed with several teams for head coaching opportunities but opted to stay in Dallas each of the last two offseasons.
Carolina Panthers head coaching candidates
So far, Carolina has conducted five virtual interviews for the team's head coaching vacancy. Those candidates include Miami offensive coordinator Frank Smith, Baltimore assistants Todd Monken and Mike Macdonald, as well as in-house candidates Ejiro Evero and Chris Tabor.
Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris will interview with the team Wednesday and WCNC Charlotte's Ashley Stroehlein confirmed Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson — who was in the mix last year before choosing to stay in Detroit — will interview Friday.
Owner David Tepper hasn't addressed the opening publicly since Frank Reich was fired after 11 games, but all indications have been that Tepper would like to hire a young offensive-minded coach to develop quarterback Bryce Young. Carolina is also looking for a general manager to replace Scott Fitterer, who was fired after the final game of the regular season.