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Atlanta Falcons Fire Head Coach Dan Quinn, GM Thomas Dimitroff

Vendetta Sports Media / NFL / October 11, 2020

After a 23-16 loss against the Carolina Panthers, the Atlanta Falcons will now be looking for a new head coach. The Falcons, off to an 0-5 start to 2020, will fire head coach Dan Quinn on Monday or Tuesday, per Jeff Schultz.

The Falcons' firing of Dan Quinn has been all but finalized and an announcement could come Monday or Tuesday, a source told @TheAthletic. The Falcons have started 0-5 for the first time since 1997 and Quinn is 14-23 since 2018. @TheAthleticNFL
— Jeff Schultz (@JeffSchultzATL) October 11, 2020

Since becoming the leading man in Atlanta in 2015, Dan Quinn has managed a regular-season record of 43 wins and 42 losses, including two playoff appearances and a super bowl berth in 2016. After two very mediocre seasons and back to back 7-9 records, this year’s poor start was enough to convince the Falcons organization that they need to move in a different direction.

Quinn will be remembered most for blowing a 28-3 lead against New England in Super Bowl LI.

This is not the first time Quinn has been on the hot seat, either. After a 1-7 start last season, many wondered how much longer he would remain in the ATL. It would take the Falcons winning six of their last eight games for him to be given another opportunity.

Why Does Dan Quinn Still Have A Job?

Quinn became an intriguing head coaching candidate after leading the 2013 Seattle Seahawks’ defense to a dominant 43-8 Super Bowl win against what was possibly one of the greatest offenses of all time. After completely stonewalling Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos, and a return to the Super Bowl the following year, Dan Quinn was given his shot to lead his own team.

The Falcons hired Quinn to create another all-time unit in Atlanta, complimenting their franchise signal-caller, Matt Ryan. Quinn never delivered on this expectation. Through five seasons (2015-2019), Quinn’s defenses have been ranked 17th twice, 18th, 19th, and 30th. This year is no better, being ranked 31st in points allowed through five games.

Quinn will be looking for a new job in 2021, most likely as a defensive coordinator or defensive line coach.

*Update* 9:50 PM Sunday, October 11

Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff have been fired, per the organization.

BREAKING NEWS: General Manager Thomas Dimitroff and Head Coach Dan Quinn have been relieved of their duties, effective immediately.
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 12, 2020

“We are moving forward and will do everything we can to help this year’s team win as many games as possible while putting a strong plan in place to execute these important leadership searches with an eye to positioning the Falcons for success well into the future. We owe that to our fans,”
Falcons President and CEO Rich McKay said in the team statement