New York Jets safeties coach Marquand Manuel will interview with the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday for their open defensive coordinator position, per ESPN's Todd Archer.
The 44-year-old Manuel served as the Atlanta Falcons' defensive coordinator in 2017 and 2018. He worked under then-Falcons head coach Dan Quinn, who was the Cowboys' DC from 2021-2023. Quinn has since taken the Washington Commanders' head coaching job.
After his Falcons' tenure, Manuel worked as the Philadelphia Eagles' defensive backs coach in 2020. He then left for the Jets, where he's served as the safeties coach since 2021.
He also played safety in the NFL from 2002-2009 for six different teams, amassing 368 tackles. One of them was the 2006 Green Bay Packers, who were led by Mike McCarthy, the Cowboys' current head coach.
Manuel's NFL coaching career began with the Seattle Seahawks in 2012. He rose to assistant secondary coach in 2014 before taking over as the Falcons' secondary coach in 2015.
Manuel coached under a defensive guru in Quinn, who oversaw the legendary "Legion of Boom" defense with the Seattle Seahawks in 2013 and 2014.
In fairness to Manuel, that 2018 Falcons defense was snakebit by key injuries. Safeties Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen suffered season-ending ailments and played a combined four games, and linebacker Deion Jones missed 10 games.
After the 2018 campaign, Manuel's contract was not renewed. Quinn, who took over as the Falcons' DC, had nothing but positive remarks to say about him.
"Marquand is a talented coach and excellent teacher that I have coached with for a number of years," Quinn said, per Reuters. "I believe he should have the opportunity to call plays for a defense, so we have decided to allow his contract to expire so he can explore those opportunities."
Manuel hasn't gotten that opportunity yet, but it's certainly possible he gets that shot in Dallas.
He does have some competition for the job, though. Per Cowboys.com staff writer Nick Harris, Dallas has interviewed current defensive line coach Aden Durde, former Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, ex-Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera and former New York Jets and Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan.
