Big-Name Coach Rumored as Possible Dan Quinn Replacement for Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys already made one big coaching decision this offseason by deciding to retain Mike McCarthy. Now they could be forced to make another if defensive coordinator Dan Quinn leaves for a head-coaching opportunity.

Dallas surely has some names in mind in case Quinn bolts, and one of them happens to be a very familiar face.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday the Cowboys "have some interest" in recently fired Washington Commanders HC Ron Rivera as a Quinn replacement. With Quinn in contention to succeed Rivera in Washington, that sets up an intriguing scenario where the two men essentially switch jobs.

Even casual NFL followers are familiar with Rivera, who served in a head-coaching role for 13 straight years. That stretch began with the Carolina Panthers, who went 76-63-1 under the former NFL linebacker. Rivera won two Coach of the Year awards while leading Carolina's return to contention, which included a Super Bowl appearance during the 2015 campaign.

Things didn't go nearly as well for Rivera with the Commanders. Washington never posted a winning record over Rivera's four seasons, but the team did win the NFC East in 2020 before exiting in the first round of the playoffs.

Perhaps Rivera getting back to his roots as a defensive coordinator is exactly what he needs at this point in his career. The former Super Bowl champion LB has plenty of insights to pass on to players, but serving in HC and even GM roles hasn't produced much on the field for his teams recently.

Adding a former head coach as defensive coordinator worked out extremely well for McCarthy when he brought Quinn into the fold. Perhaps he could strike gold again with Riverboat Ron.

In other Cowboys news: