The Cowboys already knew they had a good one in Defensive Coordinator Dan Quinn, but it’s nice when other recognize it as well. The Pro Football Writers of America clearly agree as they named Quinn their 2021 Assistant Coach of the Year after the dramatic turnaround by Dallas’ defense last season.
A few hours before the PFWA announced their 2021 award winners, Quinn’s return to the Cowboys in 2022 was confirmed after he officially withdrew from other teams’ hiring processes for new head coaches. Jerry Jones stated during a radio interview yesterday that Dallas has given Quinn a multi-year extension to continue his excellent work.
The PFWA has selected Tennessee's Mike Vrabel as the 2021 NFL Coach of the Year, New England's Bill Belichick as the Executive of the Year and Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn as the Assistant Coach of the Year.
— Pro Football Writers (@PFWAwriters) January 27, 2022
The Cowboys defense was a dumpster fire under Mike Nolan in 2020; 28th overall in both yards and points allowed. In just one season, Quinn helped bring the group up to 7th overall in the same categories.
Sure, getting a seemingly generational talent like Micah Parsons in the 2021 Draft helped. But Quinn’s schematic changes and emphasis on turnovers also helped Trevon Diggs become a superstar and saw Randy Gregory get named as a Pro Bowl alternate.
Congratulations to Dan Quinn for this well-deserved honor!
