Seahawks could reunite with big-name coach after Pete Carroll stunner?

Sep 17, 2018; Chicago, IL, USA; A detailed view of a Seattle Seahawks helmet during the second half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Seahawks just made a very stunning decision on Pete Carroll, though probably not a poorly-thought-out one.

The shocking news broke Wednesday that the Seahawks will not be bringing back Carroll as their head coach. The move ends a 14-year run on the Seattle sideline for Carroll that had netted five division titles, ten playoff berths, and a victory in Super Bowl XLVIII. Carroll will remain with the organization in a different role however.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Seahawks are now expected to have interest in a very familiar name to replace Carroll — current Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.

The 53-year-old Quinn had a very fruitful run in Seattle over two different stints. He served as their assistant head coach and defensive line coach from 2009-10 before leaving and then returning to become Carroll’s defensive coordinator from 2013-14 (including for the Seahawks’ Super Bowl win).

Granted, Quinn’s run as a head coach (for the Atlanta Falcons from 2015-20) was pretty uneven. Despite leading Atlanta to a berth in Super Bowl LI (the infamous 28-3 game), Quinn finished just 43-42 (.506) overall and got fired in the opening weeks of the 2020 season. He has rebuilt his reputation some as Dallas’ DC though, overseeing one of the stingiest, turnover-forcing defenses in the league.

Nearly a decade now since he last coached in Seattle, Quinn seems to have an open lane to the Seahawks job with his former mentor Carroll moving aside. But he can afford to take his time on a decision since a much closer HC job could open up by the end of the postseason.