COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn was the 12th candidate to interview for the Los Angeles Chargers’ head coach opening.
The Chargers announced their virtual interview with Quinn on Friday. He is the fifth candidate with previous head coaching experience in college or the NFL, joining University of Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, former Stanford coach David Shaw, former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel and San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who coached Arizona and Carolina.
Los Angeles has picked a first-time coach the past three times. The last time it didn’t was when Norv Turner was promoted from offensive coordinator in 2007.
The Chargers are looking for a coach and general manager after Brandon Staley and Tom Telesco were fired on Dec. 15, a day after a 63-21 loss at Las Vegas.
Quinn just completed his third season with the Cowboys. He was the Falcons’ head coach for five-plus seasons (2015-20), going 43-42 with a Super Bowl berth after the 2016 season. He interviewed with Tennessee on Thursday and Carolina on Wednesday.
Seattle, where Quinn was the defensive coordinator in 2013 and 2014 when the Seahawks made back-to-back Super Bowls, and Washington have also requested interviews.
The Chargers have also interviewed two in-house candidates — interim coach Giff Smith and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore — along with Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, Baltimore defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald and Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan.
Chicago Bears co-director of player personnel Jeff King on Friday became the eighth to interview for general manager. He joins interim GM JoJo Wooden, New York Giants assistant GM Brandon Brown, Baltimore director of player personnel Joe Hortiz, Chicago assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Buffalo director of player personnel Terrance Gray, New Orleans Saints assistant GM Jeff Ireland and Indianapolis Colts assistant GM Ed Dodds.