Jets set to talk to Seattle's Quinn, Among Others, for HC

The Jets are not wasting any time compiling the names of people that they want to speak to about their vacant head coach and general manager positions.

Woody Johnson said on Monday that he would prefer to hire a GM first before picking a head coach, but, said there is always the chance that the opposite could happen. Well, it looks like the Jets are at least tempted to get their head coach before they settle on a general manager.

The Jets are scheduled to sit down with Seattle Seahawks' defensive coordinator Dan Quinn on Friday. Reports have stated that Johnson, along with Charley Casserly and Ron Wolf will interview Quinn. This is ironic since it was believed that ex-GM John Idzik was very interested in tapping Quinn to be the Jets next head coach.

In fact, Quinn is the first guy the Jets have reached out and actually scheduled an interview with. He comes with an interesting pedigree.  Quinn is a Morristown, New Jersey native, went to school at Morristown High School, and has previously been a member of the Jets coaching staff back in 2007 and 2008. Since 2009 he's been associated with the Seahawks. The past two years as defensive coordinator, the Seahawks were ranked number one in total defense. In addition, when he was the D.C. at Florida University from 2011-2012, the Gators ranked 8th and 5th in the nation in total defense.

Obviously a signing of Quinn as the HC of the NYJ would be a little bit surprising since the Jets do not have a GM in place, and also because Quinn's agent is ex-Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum. Talk about awkward.

Some might wonder why the Jets would want to go defense again for a head coach, especially after they had a defensive coach in Rex Ryan, but if Quinn interviews well for the job there is no reason why he shouldn't at least be a finalist.

In addition the Jets are sending out interest to other coaching candidates including former Texans head coach, Gary Kubiak, Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, Chargers offensive coordinator Frank Reich, and Seahawks assistant coach Tom Cable.

Kubiak at least carries some head coaching experience, but his tenure in Houston wasn't exactly anything to write home about. With the exception of two big years in 2011 and 2012, the Texans were mediocre during Kubiak's stay.

Bowles is another defensive coordinator, but like Quinn, may not be a popular choice for the fanbase, since the Jets already had a defensive coordinator as head coach.

Reich is an up and coming coordinator, and former quarterback. In addition to being Jim Kelly's back-up with the Bills in the early 1990s, Reich was a Jets quarterback in 1995 and 1996.

Cable is the most peculiar candidate since he has a personal history of domestic violence allegations against him when he was with the Raiders. While he was never charged, the NFL's current policy on physical abuse is something that should weigh heavily on any decision to interview a candidate like Cable. In fact it should cancel him out as a candidate. The Jets would make a mistake making Cable a serious candidate.

Meanwhile, the Jets are busy contacting potential GM candidates. They have been rumored to have reached out to Seahawks director of pro personnel Trent Kirchner (yes, another Seahawks executive like Idzik), Vikings assistant GM, George Paton and Ravens assistant GM Eric DeCosta.

The Jets would be smart to go out and hire a GM before they commit to a head coach. The last thing they need to do is make the same mistakes they made when combining Rex Ryan and John Idzik.