Falcons to name Seahawks’ Quinn head coach after Super Bowl

The worst-kept secret in the NFL will finally become official on Tuesday when Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is named head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio.

For the past few weeks, it has been reported that the Falcons were waiting to hire Quinn to replace fired Mike Smith after Sunday’s Super Bowl. League rules prevent the Falcons from offering the job to Quinn until his current team’s season ends.

In the meantime, Quinn, 44, remains focused on preparing for the New England Patriots. He said this week he’s enjoying every moment and embracing the opportunity Sunday presents.

“I am having an absolute blast with these guys,” Quinn said. “If I didn’t enjoy the moment of this experience, that would be crazy. I am absolutely having a blast. This is such a cool experience that where else would you rather be?”

The Falcons have already decided on Kyle Shanahan as their offensive coordinator and Raheem Morris as assistant head coach in charge of defensive backs.

“They are getting a great coach,” Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner said of Quinn.

Quinn was on Jim Mora Jr.’s coaching staff with the Seahawks in 2009 after breaking into the NFL four seasons earlier as defensive quality control coach of the San Francisco 49ers.

When Pete Carroll was hired in 2010, he interviewed Quinn and decided to retain him as defensive line coach. A year later, Quinn left to become defensive coordinator at the University of Florida. Quinn said he felt the move was necessary to eventually earn the coming opportunity to be a head coach.

When Gus Bradley, Carroll’s first Seattle defensive coordinator, left to become coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars two years ago, Quinn was hired to replace him.

“He was a logical choice to bring back if Gus ever left. Those two guys were really special and unique,” Carroll said this week. “Dan is a tremendous football coach, a great communicator, a great leader. He relates very well to the way we do things and understands how to represent. He’s done an incredible job for us.”