When Dan Quinn was announced as the new Cowboys defensive coordinator, everyone pretty much assumed it would mark a return to the more straightforward 4-3 defense after Mike Nolan’s implementation of a hybrid that included several 3-4 concepts in the scheme in 2020. While that’s largely true, it’s not a completely accurate portrait of Quinn’s scheme.
As both a defensive coordinator and a head coach, Quinn’s teams have employed a 4-3 base defense. However, Quinn has significant experience in both styles. He was the defensive line coach for the Dolphins for two years in a traditional 3-4 scheme before spending two more years with the Jets in a hybrid 3-4 scheme.