Former UF defensive coordinator Dan Quinn introduced as Atlanta's head coach today. (Photo: Tim Casey)
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Former Gators defensive coordinator Dan Quinn was dressed in his usual dark attire on Tuesday, but this time the threads were more expensive than his preferred black shirts at Florida.
Decked out in a black suit and wearing a red and black striped tie, Quinn was introduced as new head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.
Quinn finished a two-year stint as Seattle's defensive coordinator on Sunday in Super Bowl XLIX.
“So fired up to be here,'' Quinn told the audience at his introductory press conference. “The ending [of the Super Bowl] was as difficult and hard as it could be, but I knew the next day I was going to have an opportunity of a lifetime.”
Quinn spent two seasons at Florida as Will Muschamp's defensive coordinator from 2011-12.
He left shortly after Florida's loss to Louisville in the Sugar Bowl in January 2013 to replace Gus Bradley, hired as Jacksonville's head coach, in Seattle.
A veteran assistant with more than 20 years of experience, this is Quinn's first head-coaching job.
“It was the leadership challenge that you're after,'' he said. “It was that challenge that it was gong to take to run an entire football team. This one was the best fit for me.”
Quinn has been linked to several NFL vacancies the past two seasons, but with Seattle playing in the Super Bowl each year, teams opted to go in another direction.
The Falcons waited and Quinn wants to bring the same kind of attitude to Atlanta that he brought to his other stops.
“One of our goals here, we're going to try and bet the best fundamental team in football,'' he said “I certainly want to be involved on the defensive side. The brand of football we're going to play is fast and physical.”
Quinn announced his Atlanta coaching staff on Tuesday, retaining defensive line coach Bryan Cox, the father of Florida junior defensive lineman Bryan Cox Jr.
Quinn is the first former Gators head coach or assistant coach to be an NFL head coach since Chan Gailey led the Bills from 2010-12. A former UF player, Gailey started his coaching career as a UF graduate assistant in 1974 and also was head coach of the Dallas Cowboys for two seasons (1998-99).
Other former Florida coaches to serve as head coaches in the NFL include Steve Spurrier (Redskins, 2002-03), Lindy Infante (Packers, 1988-91; Colts, 1996-97), Mike Shanahan (Raiders, 1988-89; Broncos, 1995-2008; Redskins, 2010-13), and John Rauch (Raiders, 1966-68; Bills, 1969-70).
Meanwhile, former UF player Mike Mularkey was head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2012.
