Because it's the offseason and there's very little NFL news to speak of, ESPN's Kevin Seifert took the time to rank all of the current NFL head coaches based on the success of their respective playing careers. Dan Quinn came in at No. 23.
Fun fact: Dan Quinn looks pretty much exactly the same today as he did in college.
Atlanta's defensive-minded head coach played defensive end for Salisbury University a Division III program. Displaying that toughness and grit he likes to see in his NFL players, Quinn played in all 28 games of his college career after a redshirt season, racking up 135 tackles with his fast and physical play. Quinn also had an interception that he returned for a touchdown.
Another fun fact: Quinn's best sport was track and field. He set a Salisbury record in the hammer throw that stood until 2012.
The article is worth reading for all of the old photos of coaches in their playing days, if for no other reason. For instance, these photos of a young John Fox are instant classics.
In the NFC South, only Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter ranked lower than Quinn, coming in at No. 25. Injury derailed what had appeared to be a promising college career for Atlanta's former offensive coordinator. New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton came in at No. 9, despite having played just three games in the NFL as one of the "Spare Bears" during the 1987 player strike.
Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera comes in at No. 3, rightfully. Rivera was an All-American in college and was a backup linebacker on the storied 1985 Bears squad.
Your thoughts on these rankings, and Quinn's playing career?