ATLANTA — Seattle’s NFC championship game win won’t stop the Atlanta Falcons from talking with Seahawks defensive co-ordinator Dan Quinn.
Quinn’s agent, Rick Smith, confirmed to The Associated Press on Sunday night the Falcons will have their second interview with Quinn on Monday.
NFL’s anti-tampering rules allow head coach candidates to hold second meetings with teams on the bye week between conference championship games and the Super Bowl. The Falcons can’t offer the job to Quinn until after the Feb. 1 Super Bowl.
Quinn will become the second candidate to hold a second interview with the Falcons, who are looking to replace Mike Smith. The Falcons had their second meeting with Detroit defensive co-ordinator Teryl Austin last week.
The Seahawks are returning to the Super Bowl following Sunday’s 28-22 overtime win over Green Bay.
The Falcons also have interviewed New England offensive co-ordinator Josh McDaniels, Broncos offensive co-ordinator Adam Gase, former Bills coach Doug Marrone, former Jets coach Rex Ryan and Atlanta special teams coach Keith Armstrong.
Atlanta finished 6-10 under Smith this season and 10-22 the past two years. The Falcons’ search has focused on candidates with defensive backgrounds.
Atlanta, which had winning records in each of Smith’s first five seasons, struggled on defence during the two straight losing seasons. The Falcons allowed the most total yards and yards passing in the league this season.
Quinn, 44, is in his second season guiding Seattle’s defence.
The Seahawks led the NFL in scoring defence, total defence and takeaways while winning the Super Bowl last season. Quinn’s defence shined in the Super Bowl win over Peyton Manning and the Broncos. He previously was defensive line coach for the Seahawks, 49ers, Dolphins and Jets.
