After weeks of waiting for the Seattle Seahawks to march out of the playoffs (win or loss, that is), the Atlanta Falcons finally got their wish last Sunday night when the Super Bowl officially ended the season and they could proceed with their head coaching search.
Now former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who led the one of the best defenses in the NFL the past couple of years, will be the next coach of the Falcons and was introduced through a press conference on Tuesday. Quinn had the No. 1 defense in football in 2014, ranking first in passing yards allowed per game, and third in rushing yards allowed.
“I am grateful for this opportunity, and I am excited to be the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. 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.”
Quinn said today he will strive to be the most fundamental team in football, playing fast and physical, much like the style we have seen out of Seattle. He will work with GM Thomas Dimitroff to build the team, and named the coaches who will join him under his staff.
He will be in charge of the 53-man roster next year and will collaborate with Dimitroff on the upcoming draft and free agents, with the last say going to the GM.
Listen to the full press conference below (Quinn starts talking at the 10-minute mark).