Dan Quinn reportedly the favorite to become Cowboys defensive coordinator

The Dallas Cowboys are on the hunt for a defensive coordinator after firing Mike Nolan, and Dan Quinn has reportedly become the favorite to take over the job. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter and Todd Archer, sources say Quinn is flying to Dallas for his first interview.

Quinn was the head coach for the Atlanta Falcons, and while he experienced some early success, including a Super Bowl appearance, the last few years were defined by mediocrity. As a result, Quinn was let go in the middle of this season. Before joining the Falcons, he made a name for himself as the defensive coordinator of the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. Now, Quinn will try to once again work his magic in Dallas if he's hired, which is in serious need of an upgrade.

Under Nolan, the Cowboys had one of their worst defensive seasons in franchise history, giving up nearly 400 yards and 30 points per game to opposing offenses. Throughout the season, owner Jerry Jones insisted that Nolan would not be fired, but shortly after the end of the disappointing season, Nolan was unsurprisingly fired. 

With Dak Prescott expected to be ready by the start of the season (and hopefully signed to a long-term contract), the Cowboys need to have at least an adequate defense if they hope to be a real competitor in the NFC. The team seems confident that Quinn is the man who can get them back on track based on his time in Seattle, where he created one of the most fearsome defenses in NFL history.