Florida’s Dan Quinn has been reported to be a strong candidate for several NFL jobs in the past two days.
It appeared the Gators dodged the lose-your-defensive-coordinator bullet on Wednesday when it was reported new Philadelphia Eagles coach Chip Kelly was targeting Georgia’s Todd Gratham, not Quinn. However, word is Quinn is still a possibility for that gig.
The NFL Network’s Ian Rappaport had previously said Grantham and Quinn were the top two choices for the Eagles’ defensive coordinator job.
Now, both Rappaport and ESPN NFL analyst Adam Schefter are reporting Quinn is possibly headed to the Seattle Seahawks to replace Gus Bradley as defensive coordinator.
Schefter tweeted there is a “strong possibility” of that happening while noting that Cleveland and Philadelphia remain interested in Quinn. Another report has Quinn potentially leaving the Gators to join the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Florida coach Will Muschamp said this past season he always supports his assistants moving up the coaching ladder.
It appears Quinn may be close to taking that first step. Quinn was scheduled to make $510,000 this past season. NFL coordinators can make $1 million or more.
Florida has finished eighth and fifth nationally in total defense in each of the past two seasons under Quinn, who served as an assistant in the NFL for a decade. That included a stint as Seattle’s defensive line coach.
If Quinn does leave, the Gators won’t have to look far for a quality replacement. Linebackers coach and special teams coordinator DJ Durkin already knows the scheme in place, has excellent rapport with players and is widely respected by the rest of the coaching staff.