Dan Quinn to Jets rumors running wild

Here we go with another one from the rumor mill. Likely brought to you by the "boy who cried wolf," there are more rumors that the Jets may have settled on a head coach (yes, even without a general manager in place). The latest rumor is that the Jets are leaning toward hiring Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn as its head coach.

While this rumor will certainly bring smiles to the faces of Jets fans, as compared to the Doug Marrone rumors, the fact is nothing has been finalized.

Quinn cannot commit to a coaching job until the Seahawks season is over. If the Jets even tried to work on a deal now they would be in danger of tampering.

What is known is that Quinn would like to bring in offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan with him when he does accept a head coaching job in the NFL, and a lot of people think the Jets are very much in the mix.

Shanahan was released from his Cleveland Browns contract on Thursday, and was to interview for the Bills head coaching job. There has also been speculation that Shanahan could reunite with his father, Mike, if he were to get a job.

Another factor in this will be the general manager. The Jets are expected to interview Mike Maccagnan, who has strong ties to ex-Bills coach Doug Marrone, for a second time. Would Maccagnan be willing to work with Quinn?

If the Jets do indeed land Quinn and Shanahan it would be an incredible move (at least on paper). Quinn has been in charge of one of the best defenses in the NFL over the last two seasons. The Seahawks are ranked first in the NFL in total defense, and have given up the fewest points in each of the past two years. Quinn's success goes beyond Seattle. When he was at Florida University, the Gators had a top 10 defense in the nation for two straight seasons.

Plus, Quinn is a Jersey guy having grown up in Morristown, N.J., which is just a few miles from the Jets training facility in Florham Park. 

As for Shanahan, he is very young football mind. Only 35-years old, he's already been a coordinator for five years. He oversaw the slight resurgence of Brian Hoyer's career, and even got something out of RGIII in his first season with Washington. That being said, Cleveland was ranked 23rd in total offense this year. Shanahan would still be an upgrade over Marty Mornhinweg.

If the Jets are certain that Quinn is their guy, and are willing to wait at least until February 2 to make the deal, then it's worth it. Quinn is easily the best candidate out there in a shallow pool of head coaching candidates.