There are rumors circulating that the Seattle Seahawks are considering a star-studded coaching duo, consisting of Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and UCLA head coach Chip Kelly. According to Shane Hoffmann of The Oregonian, the Seahawks are a likely destination for this package deal, with Quinn as head coach and Kelly as offensive coordinator. While Kelly’s impressive coaching record includes leading Oregon to the national title game in 2011 and being named the Coach of the Year in 2010, there are hurdles to overcome, such as his current contract with UCLA, which pays him $6.1 million annually. However, there is growing buzz around the league that connects Kelly to offensive coordinator vacancies, and a strong performance as a coordinator could eventually provide him another chance to be an NFL head coach. Meanwhile, the Seahawks are also considering Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who is having a second interview with Seattle.
Kelly’s system at Oregon has heavily influenced many current college football offenses, and elements of it have even made their way into the NFL. However, this widespread adoption of his offensive philosophy presents a challenge for Kelly to maintain a competitive edge. As for Quinn, there may be some skepticism about Seattle replacing a legendary defensive-minded coach like Pete Carroll with another one. It begs the question of why they didn’t just retain Carroll. Pairing Quinn with an offensive-minded coach like Kelly could have potential, and Quinn is set to have his second interview with Seattle brass on Thursday, January 25, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. Jonathan Adams, who covers the NFL and NBA for Heavy.com, focuses on the Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Los Angeles Lakers. His work has appeared on NFL.com, Yahoo Sports, Pro Football Talk, CBS Sports, Bleacher Report, and Sports Illustrated.
