Dan Quinn has left for the rival Washington Commanders, which is especially disappointing given that he knows the Cowboys' offensive philosophy and is now coaching a team in the same division.
Quinn has earned another chance to be a head coach, of course, but it's understandable that Dallas supporters hoped it would be in a different division.
Quinn has helped transform the Cowboys' defense into a strength and one of the league's top units in recent seasons. However, he wasn't alone.
Dallas had a number of qualified assistant coaches to pursue as prospective successors for Quinn now that he is in Washington.
Unfortunately, one of those is not on the board. According to reports, Joe Whitt, the passing game coordinator/secondary coach, will join Quinn as the defensive coordinator at Washington.
While Whitt is siding with Quinn, Al Harris may not be. Harris spent last year teaching the defensive backs and had a significant impact on a Dallas secondary headlined by Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland.
Cody Williams of FanSided thought him a candidate only last week: Harris is a former Green Bay Packers Pro Bowler who has since turned to teaching.
He is inexperienced, but is regarded as a rising star in league circles and will be given an opportunity sooner or later. His link to Mike McCarthy could provide him an advantage in Dallas.
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