Dan Quinn Explains Why Cowboys Made Major Defensive Change

Updated: Sep 10, 5:00pm UTC

The Dallas Cowboys wasted little time in trying to improve their defense after last year's miserable performance. Mike Nolan was given the boot following his first year as defensive coordinator, and veteran coach Dan Quinn has come in to succeed him.

Quinn isn't afraid to switch things up in Dallas this season.

Cowboys Defensive Scheme

As rookie linebacker Micah Parsons already revealed, Quinn is employing a 3-4 base defense in Dallas this year. The change is notable since the DC used a base 4-3 at his previous stops with the Seattle Seahawks and Atlanta Falcons. Quinn explained that he didn't want to just try and replicate what he's done before.

It's admirable that Quinn is willing to switch up from what's comfortable and push himself to get better as he approaches his ninth NFL season in a major coaching role.

Quinn rose to prominence with Seattle's Legion of Boom, as the team ranked first in points and yards allowed in back-to-back seasons. However, that defensive success didn't translate when he took over as head coach in Atlanta. Quinn helmed a bottom-10 scoring defense in two of his final three seasons with the Falcons.

The respected defensive mind now has a chance to prove his worth after he flamed out in Atlanta. If Quinn can turn this unit around, the Cowboys could be major players in 2021.

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