Rumor Mill: Florida Gators DC Dan Quinn on Seattle Seahawks shortlist for same position

Florida Gators defensive coordinator Dan Quinn talks to players on the bench during the third quarter against the LSU Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. (Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports)

There is a “strong possibility” Florida DC Dan Quinn will return to Seattle to replace Gus Bradley as DC, though CLEV and PHIL interested.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 17, 2013

Will Muschamp was hired on two seasons ago to instill a toughness to a Florida Gators football program that had been coddled in the final seasons of Urban Meyer’s tenure. As the program’s new head coach, Muschamp brought in Dan Quinn to be his defensive coordinator.

Known as a tough guy himself, Quinn worked alongside Muschamp to perform one of the fastest turnarounds in recent college football history. The team went 7-6 in their first year, but the team’s defense was ranked amongst the nation’s best.

In 2012, the team finished with a spectacular 11-2 record, and the Gators were ranked at No. 3-nationally in total defense.

Now, however, the nearby Jacksonville Jaguars may end up being the reason the Gators and Muschamp lose their fantastic defensive coordinator.

Jags ownership fired Mike Mularkey after only one season, and after a protracted coaching search, the team has settled upon the now-former Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. Bradley brought a lot of energy and football knowledge to a team that was carried by its defense for the majority of the year until its offense was able to play catch-up.

Seattle is planning on dominating defensively next year as well, and thus will need a leader to make sure that happens.

Unfortunately for Florida fans, it is now looking like the Seahawks do not want to look any further than Dan Quinn.

Chip Kelly is pursuing Georgia’s Todd Grantham to take over the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense.

What do you think Gamedayrs?