PHOENIX — Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is days away from possibly winning another Super Bowl and being named a head coach for the first time.

“They are getting a great coach,” Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner said of Quinn, who is expected to be introduced by the Atlanta Falcons early next week.

Quinn was on Jim Mora Jr.’s coaching staff with the Seahawks in 2009 after breaking into the NFL four seasons earlier as defensive quality control coach of the San Francisco 49ers.

When Pete Carroll was hired in 2010, he interviewed Quinn and decided to retain him as defensive line coach. A year later, Quinn left to become defensive coordinator at the University of Florida. Quinn said he felt the move was necessary to eventually earn the coming opportunity to be a head coach.

When Gus Bradley, Carroll’s first Seattle defensive coordinator, left to become coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars two years ago, Quinn was hired to replace him.

“He was a logical choice to bring back if Gus ever left. Those two guys were really special and unique,” Carroll said. “Dan is a tremendous football coach, a great communicator, a great leader. He relates very well to the way we do things and understands how to represent. He’s done an incredible job for us.”

Quinn, 44, was praised by several players for his communication skills and leadership. Quinn’s coaching philosophy and a key piece of the puzzle for Carroll is embracing individuals. Linebacker K.J. Wright expounded on the freedom of self.

“He probably has five calls a game and he just lets our athleticism go out there and win ballgames,” Wright said. “He loves to box up with eight men. You shouldn’t be able to run against us.

“That last drive against Green Bay we were doing just straight man to man. He didn’t try to mix it up. He didn’t try to run special coverages. Our guys against your guys. Let’s see who is the best. I believe that’s what makes him good, and he always puts us in good positions to be successful. You’ll never see linebackers just matched up against receivers or a guy that is mismatched.”

The base defense for the Seahawks is Cover-3. With four down linemen and three linebackers, the secondary holds a lot of the responsibility in making the defense effective. Carroll describes his defense as read-react. More than anything, he demands that the Seahawks stop the run.

Cornerbacks do not expect frequent help because of Quinn’s preference to use hard-charging strong safety Kam Chancellor within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage. Three defenders wind up with deep-middle “thirds” responsibility, and free safety Earl Thomas must be the most assignment-sound player on the field for Quinn to look good.

He has looked great the past two years as the Seahawks’ defense has ranked No. 1 in yards and points allowed.

“You’ve seen the numbers from the last two years. Hopefully he can bring that with him (to Atlanta),” defensive end Cliff Avril said. “Obviously he knows what he’s doing, and I think he’ll be a great head coach.”

What Quinn doesn’t know is what kind of personnel he’ll be working with in Atlanta. The Seahawks lead the NFL in pass defense and Quinn’s starting 11 in Seattle is pocked with Pro Bowlers. The Falcons have been ineffective rushing the passer and defending deep passes for several seasons.

Like Bradley in Jacksonville, Quinn could need time to turn the fortunes of the defense. But the Falcons do have the foundation in place for a quick rise in a division won by a seven-win Carolina Panthers team in 2014.

“He’s a great coach. He’s a great man,” cornerback Richard Sherman said. “I think he’s going to be a fantastic head coach because he relates to his players extremely well. He’s a guy that’s not close-minded in his approach. He’s very approachable. He’s a great leader of men. I think all those qualities will allow him to be a great head coach.

“Obviously personnel dictates certain things, if you don’t have great personnel, but I think whatever team he goes to he’ll have fine personnel and they’ll do a great job.”

Before he parts with this team, Quinn said he’s enjoying every moment and embracing the opportunity Sunday presents.

“This is such a cool experience that where else would you rather be?” Quinn said.

It won’t take long before Quinn and Carroll are competing. The first opportunity is in March, when the defined player prototype both teams — and Bradley’s Jaguars — are chasing could create a clash in free agency, and then again in the draft process. That’s not to even mention the NFL’s well-treaded history of follow-the-leader, as other teams figure to attempt to replicate the Seahawks’ success in building a roster.

Some players in Seattle have already turned the page.

“He’s a coach. Coaches coach. Players play,” linebacker Bruce Irvin said. “No disrespect to him. He’s a great guy, great coach, but we went out there and played. We’re going to miss him, but I think we’ll be all right. I think he’ll do great in Atlanta, or if he decides to go there, I think he’ll be great. But I don’t think it’ll affect us as much as y’all think it will.”