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| Former University of Florida defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is the Seahawks' new DC. (US Presswire) |
Hours after Gus Bradley was named as the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday, the Seattle Seahawks quickly replaced their former defensive coordinator with a familiar face.
The Seahawks have pegged University of Florida defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to take over a unit that ranked fourth in the NFL in total defense in 2012. Quinn spent two seasons as the Seahawks’ defensive line coach (2009-2010) before a successful two-year stint in Gainesville.
Under Pete Carroll in 2010, Quinn was instrumental in helping devise the Seahawks’ odd front 4-3 defense. The scheme is based off a system Carroll learned while working with former 49ers defensive assistant Bill McPherson in the mid-1990s. Quinn, who served as the 49ers defensive line coach from 2003-2004, is also a McPherson disciple.
“We made some scheme adjustments to the style that was here in years past and I flipped it all the way back to when I was at San Francisco," Carroll told reporters in 2010. “Danny Quinn (had) a big role in that because of his crossover to the days when he was at San Francisco. Now we brought the expertise to at least be able to explore it."
Carroll’s refers to his defense as “a 4-3 scheme with 3-4 personnel.” Upon Quinn’s urgings, Carroll moved 323-pound DT Red Bryant to defensive end to add a physical presence on the outside. On the other side, Chris Clemons has flourished as a hybrid speed rusher at a position Carroll calls the Elephant end.
In three seasons with the Seahawks, Clemons has 33.5 sacks. Clemons, who tore his ACL in an NFC Wild Card win over the Redskins, has a cap hit of $8.16 million in 2013. The Seahawks are grooming Bruce Irvin, a 2012 first round pick, to eventually replace Clemons.
In 2012, Florida ranked fifth in the nation in scoring defense (14.46 points per game) and fourth against the run (94.92 ypg) under Quinn.
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