One of the worst kept secrets in the NFL leading up to the Super Bowl was that Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn would be named the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons after the game, and on Monday the Falcons made it official with this announcement.
“This is an exciting day for the Atlanta Falcons franchise and our fans,” Falcons owner and chairman Arthur Blank said in the press release announcing the signing. “Dan is a talented football coach who has a deep and diverse history in the game, which will serve us well. As we got to know Dan during the interview process, it became clear that he has a definitive plan for our football team and what it will take to win on a consistent basis. He also has a proven ability to develop players by maximizing their individual strengths. For these and many other reasons, Dan became our top pick, and I’m confident our players, staff, fans and community will be proud to have him represent the Falcons.
“I would like to personally thank Seahawks coach Pete Carroll for his patience and support during our head coach search,” added Blank. “I’m sure the Seahawks will be sorry to see Dan leave, but no one has been more supportive of this opportunity for Dan than Pete.”
“I am grateful for this opportunity, and I am excited to be the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons,” Quinn said in the release. “This felt like the right fit from the beginning, and I want to thank Mr. Blank for his resolve as this was an extended and complicated process. My goal is to build upon the foundation that has been laid here and to play a physical brand of football as we build a championship caliber team.”
As for who replaces Quinn, there has been a lot of speculation that defensive backs coach Kris Richard will get the job, but Carroll would not address a possible replacement when he met with reporters Monday, saying, “It’s a process, and we’ll work it out. I have nothing to say about it right now.”
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