Getting to know a Denver Broncos coaching candidate: Dan Quinn

EIGHTH IN A SERIES

Dan Quinn is the only candidate on the Broncos’ current interview list with actual NFL head-coaching experience, and that could end up being the difference if the Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator lands the job.

In recent years, “retreads” have been more successful than first-time head coaches. As I noted last weekend, since 2017, on a percentage basis, 45.2 percent of “retread” coaches had their team in the playoffs, compared with 38.1 percent of first-time coaches.

And this year, 66.7 percent (4-of-6) of the “retreads” stalking sidelines have their teams in the postseason, compared with 38.5 percent (10-of-26) of the first-timers. Throw in the fact that 17 of the last 25 Super Bowls were won by teams led by “retreads” — and 11 of 19 if you throw out the Bill Belichick unicorn — and that all three of the Broncos’ Lombardi Trophies came with head coaches who were unceremoniously fired, and it’s clear that “retread” needs to become a term with a positive connotation, rather than the anchor of negativity it carries.

So, that brings the Broncos to Quinn. He guided the Atlanta Falcons to their second NFC title in a 56-year existence that has been mostly fruitless. The 2016 Falcons came within a fourth-quarter collapse of defeating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI. They were powered by one of the best single-season offenses of all-time, led by then-offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. But the Falcons remained in the NFL’s top 8 in scoring offense for Quinn’s subsequent three full seasons on the job, thanks to a good quarterback — Matt Ryan — and coordinators who weren’t in Shanahan’s elite class, but were still effective at their jobs: Steve Sarkisian and Dirk Koetter.

Identification of good assistant coaches is a skill, and on the offensive side, Quinn excelled at that in Atlanta.

In emotional intelligence, Quinn is among the game’s best. He is not a one-size-fits-all leader; instead, he coaches to the personalities of his players. Those who respond to prodding get that treatment; those who function better with an empathetic pat on the shoulder will receive it.

And then there are his defensive results. As an assistant, Broncos fans know well what a Quinn-led unit can do. His Seahawks defense of 2013 is, along with the 2015 Broncos, the best to emerge from the last decade of football, a unit that belongs in the modern pantheon of defenses that includes the 1976 Steelers, the 1985 Bears, the 2000 Ravens and the 2002 Buccaneers. It will likely see at least three starters go into the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Earl Thomas, Richard Sherman and Bobby Wagner. It was loaded, and Quinn maximized their gifts.

But the defensive results were different in Atlanta.

Quinn hired defensive coordinators so he could better focus on the entire team. His first coordinator, former Broncos assistant Richard Smith, was dismissed after the 2016 season, Quinn’s second as Atlanta head coach. But the stage for that dismissal was set during the regular season, when Quinn re-assumed defensive play-calling duties from Smith a dozen games into the season.

Atlanta’s defense improved after Quinn took control, but in Super Bowl LI, it let down. Fatigued by a series of long Patriots drives and the offense’s inability to sustain possessions of its own, Atlanta’s defense wilted late, playing a huge role as the Falcons frittered away a 28-3 lead in the biggest collapse in Super Bowl history.

Quinn quickly promoted secondary coach Marquand Manuel — a former Broncos safety — to defensive coordinator and immediately named him the play-caller for the 2017 campaign. There was initial improvement; Atlanta was a top-10 team in scoring defense (9th) and total defense (8th). But the Falcons quickly descended back to the murky 20-something depths from whence they came after that. Quinn and the Falcons elected not to renew Manuel’s contract after the 2018 season, and by the middle of the 2019 campaign, Quinn gave the defensive play-calling responsibilities to Raheem Morris, who stabilized the unit — and later replaced Quinn as offensive coordinator.

Quinn is successful when he has tight control of the defensive reins. In his only year on the job with Dallas, the Cowboys rocketed from 28th to seven in scoring defense and improved from 23rd to 19th in total defense. Both of the Seattle defenses for which he called plays — 2013 and 2014 — led the NFL in total defense and scoring defense.

And if he gets the Denver job, he would inherit a unit with plenty of talent. Shelby Harris and Dre’Mont Jones are strong interior pass rushers. Pat Surtain II is a CB1 in the making, and Ronald Darby is a good CB2. Bryce Callahan could return as a slot cornerback. Justin Simmons remains one of the game’s best safeties. Edge rusher would appear to be the likely Day 1 draft target area if the Broncos do not go for a Round 1 quarterback.

There isn’t anything that Quinn hasn’t seen before — including Broncos general manager George Paton, with whom he worked in football operations while serving as a defensive-line coach under Nick Saban in 2005 and 2006. They should find a mutual groove quickly, and Quinn’s leadership qualities make him a seemingly ideal match for the characteristics Paton said he prioritizes in the coaching search.

But if Quinn is to take the final step, his moves on offense — and the quarterback he identifies — will be crucial. He inherited Ryan in Atlanta. His long-term answer is not likely on the Broncos’ roster.

Quinn’s connection with Russell Wilson from his Seahawks days could bring the 10-year veteran into play if he wants to leave Seattle. But if that doesn’t happen, Quinn and whoever he hires as an offensive coordinator need a plan.

If Quinn lands the job and is as successful at helping to identify a QB as he was offensive play-callers, it would come as no surprise if he becomes the third “retread” to guide the Broncos to the promised land.

But if not, can he do enough to maximize the talent on hand in a way that Vic Fangio could not? That is a salient question. The fact that Quinn is the stylistic opposite of Fangio offers a hint that he could.