Jerry Jones says Dan Quinn turned down head coaching job to stay with Dallas Cowboys

FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones on Friday said Mike McCarthy's future as head coach was never in question and that he and McCarthy worked together to make sure defensive coordinator Dan Quinn would remain with the team.

«The idea of Mike twisting in the wind wasn't the case at all,» Jones told 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. «We were trying to keep Dan Quinn and maintain continuity on the coaching staff.»

Jones said he believes Quinn turned down a head coaching opportunity to sign an extension with the Cowboys «for years to come.»

Quinn was initially signed through 2023. He is still getting paid by the Atlanta Falcons, where he was the head coach from 2015 to 2020.

Jones said Quinn is the third coordinator that the owner has gotten to turn down a head coaching opportunity to remain with the Cowboys. Jones said Sean Payton walked away from a chance to coach the Oakland Raiders in 2004, and that Jason Garrett had opportunities from the Baltimore Ravens and Atlanta Falcons in 2007.

«I experienced seeing coaches turn down a head coaching job for our situation, so I really was trying hard, meeting with Dan and Mike,» Jones said.

Jones called it a «competitive situation» as to why he deferred on answering questions last week regarding McCarthy's future.

«To give us every chance to keep Dan Quinn,» Jones said. «I couldn't get out and speak to it publicly because I didn't want to push a team toward [Quinn].»

Quinn interviewed with the Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears, New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins. He turned down a chance to interview with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore remains in the mix for current head coaching vacancies, but Jones