Kris Richard turned down Atlanta job, per report

Seahawks defensive backs coach Kris Richard reportedly turned down an offer to go to Atlanta with Dan Quinn for the opportunity to get a promotion in Seattle.

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk,

"Per a league source, new Falcons coach Dan Quinn tried to get Richard to come to Atlanta, and Richard chose to stay put, with a better deal and, at a minimum, strong consideration for the promotion to Quinn's former position."

Florio also points out that if it's not Richard for the DC job, and the Seahawks remain in house, "the other options are linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr., defensive line coach Travis Jones, and defensive passing game coordinator Rocky Seto." I hadn't seen Jones included in that group before, so that's interesting.

For my money, I'd probably bet on Richard as the successor. Dan Quinn, on 710ESPN today, called Richard "probably one of the best developmental coaches" he's worked with. Development and teaching are huge aspects of what Carroll wants in his coordinator, I think, along with discipline and smarts in playcalling, obviously. Richard has been in Carroll's system for years, dating back to his time as a player in it at USC, so he knows it inside and out, and knows what Carroll expects of his players.

Regardless, as Carroll pointed out earlier this week, the Hawks will go through a process to get the hire done. Outside options will likely be at play as well. I've heard Jim Schwartz's name thrown out there, and he was a big part of making the Bills one of the best defenses in the NFL this year as defensive coordinator.