The 49ers list of replacements for defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, should he receive a head coaching job, shrank by one. Saleh has been a popular candidate this offseason after interviewing with at least five teams.
Former Falcons head coach Dan Quinn is joining the Dallas Cowboys as their defensive coordinator after they fired Mike Nolan after a disastrous 2020 campaign.
Quinn was the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator in 2013 and 2014 when they ranked second in scoring both years. They were also third in yards in ’13, and first in yards in ’14. He took over as the Falcons’ head coach in 2015 where he helped guide Atlanta to Super Bowl LI. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was his offensive coordinator for the first two years.
His experience running the defensive scheme Saleh utilized over his first four seasons with the 49ers, combined with his familiarity with Shanahan made him a popular name among coaches who might take over at DC in San Francisco.