Sports

Quinn returning to lead defense as Cowboys shuffle coaches

Published

3 years ago

January 27, 2023

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — A shuffling of the coaching staff for the Dallas Cowboys won’t include defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who is returning after another year of receiving interest from teams seeking head coaches.

Coach Mike McCarthy said the club’s decision not to renew the contracts of six members of his staff, including one with deep ties to him in Green Bay, hasn’t affected his relationship with owner/general manager Jerry Jones or the rest of the Dallas front office.

The Cowboys, who finished 13-6, reached the playoffs for a second consecutive season and won a road game in the postseason for the first time in 30 years.

Still, Dallas’ divisional-round losing streak reached seven games, the longest since the 1970 merger, with a 19-12 loss at San Francisco. The Cowboys haven’t advanced to an NFC championship game since the last of the franchise’s five Super Bowl titles to cap the 1995 season.

“As far as my relationship with Jerry, just using his words, we’re in an excellent spot,” McCarthy said Thursday, a few hours after the club’s announcement on the coaches who aren’t returning.

“The partnership that we have, he’s excited about. He told me a number of times this week that he wants me to coach here as long as coach (Tom) Landry did. And I said, ‘OK, that’s a long time.’”

Jones’ first act as owner in 1989 was firing Landry, coach of the Cowboys for the franchise’s first 29 seasons. There’s been chatter about McCarthy’s job security since a losing debut in the pandemic-altered 2020 season.

Jones said the loss to the 49ers didn’t change his outlook with McCarthy, who has always shrugged off talk to the contrary.

“I get to talk to Jerry a lot,” McCarthy said. “So I’ve never, I’ve never felt that. The narrative was externally generated.”

Quinn, who interviewed with Denver, Arizona and Indianapolis, told McCarthy on Thursday he would be back for a third season with the Cowboys. Quinn, who led Atlanta to a Super Bowl as coach, made the same decision after interviewing for jobs last year.

Dallas was the first team since the “Steel Curtain” era of the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1972-74 to lead the NFL in takeaways in consecutive years.

“This is big for us,” McCarthy said. “Gives us continuity with what we accomplished the last two years and build off of that. And just frankly on a personal note, I can’t tell you how thankful I am.”

The future of offensive coordinator Kellen Moore seems less certain. Moore interviewed for the head coaching job with the Panthers, who hired Frank Reich on Thursday.

McCarthy wouldn’t answer a question about whether Moore would be the play-caller in 2023 if he weren’t hired as a head coach elsewhere.

The mostly productive Dallas offense sputtered in each of the playoff losses the past two seasons.

“I really don’t want to play this game today,” McCarthy said. “Kellen Moore, just like the rest of the coaches, will be evaluated. The evaluation, it takes more than one day.”

The coaches who won’t be back include assistant head coach Rob Davis, who spent 10 seasons on McCarthy’s Green Bay staff after finishing his career as the Packers’ long snapper, and senior defensive assistant George Edwards.

The others are offensive line coach and former Miami head coach Joe Philbin, running backs coach Skip Peete, assistant defensive line coach Leon Lett and quality control analyst Kyle Valero.

Edwards was a senior defensive assistant who took a leading role with the linebackers and was praised on Twitter by two-time All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons.

Edwards joined the Cowboys when McCarthy was hired in 2020, as did Philbin and Peete. It was Peete’s second stint as Dallas’ running backs coach.

Lett, a two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman who played on all three Super Bowl-winning Dallas teams in the 1990s, just finished his 12th season on the staff. Valero had been with the Cowboys since 2014.

Sports

GM Brands Dominate Detroit as Cadillac and Corvette Capture IMSA Chevrolet Detroit Sports Car Classic Wins

Published

2 weeks ago

May 31, 2026

FNN NEWS

DETROIT (FNN SPORTS) — Cadillac and Chevrolet celebrated a historic hometown sweep Saturday as both General Motors brands captured class victories in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s Chevrolet Detroit Sports Car Classic.

Competing in the shadow of General Motors’ Renaissance Center headquarters along the Detroit Riverwalk, the No. 31 Cadillac Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R driven by Jack Aitken and Earl Bamber dominated the 100-minute race to secure the overall victory and Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class win.

In Grand Touring Daytona Pro (GTD PRO), Antonio Garcia and Alexander Sims powered the No. 3 Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports Corvette Z06 GT3.R to victory, giving Chevrolet a celebrated win on its home turf.

Cadillac Continues Detroit Dominance

The No. 31 Cadillac controlled the race from start to finish, executing a near-flawless performance in front of General Motors executives, employees, and supporters.

The victory marked Cadillac’s fifth IMSA triumph in Detroit, adding to previous wins in 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2022. The result also extended the No. 31 team’s streak to seven consecutive GTP podium finishes.

“To do it here at the home of GM and Cadillac with so many friends and family with us, my team absolutely nailed it,” Aitken said after the race.

The No. 25 BMW M Team WRT BMW M Hybrid V8 finished second in class, while the No. 10 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac V-Series.R completed the GTP podium.

Meanwhile, the No. 93 Acura Meyer Shank Racing with Curb Agajanian Acura ARX-06 earned the IMSA Michelin Sustainability in Racing Award with its fourth-place finish.

Corvette Capitalizes on Late-Race Drama

While Cadillac’s victory was largely under control, the GTD PRO race featured significant late-race drama.

Garcia nearly lost the lead when Jack Hawksworth attempted a pass entering Turn 1 in the No. 14 Vasser Sullivan Racing Lexus RC F GT3. Contact between the two cars triggered a penalty against Hawksworth, whose Lexus received a drive-through penalty for incident responsibility.

Despite the pressure, Garcia maintained control on the final restart to secure his first IMSA victory in Detroit and the 32nd IMSA win of his career.

“Super happy to be in victory lane in Chevrolet land,” Garcia said. “I think all the big bosses will be very happy, as we are. It was a fantastic drive by Alex, who put the car on pole and opened a big gap early.”

The late-race chaos opened the door for the No. 9 Pfaff Motorsports Lamborghini Temerario GT3 driven by Andrea Caldarelli and Sandy Mitchell to earn the new car’s first podium finish in second place.

The No. 65 Ford Mustang GT3 driven by Christopher Mies and Frederic Vervisch rounded out the GTD PRO podium in third.

Championship Battle Tightens Heading to Watkins Glen

Both class winners started from the Motul Pole Award position and successfully converted pole into victory despite two late caution periods that reshuffled the field and intensified competition during the closing laps.

The victory unofficially moves Aitken into the lead of the GTP championship standings, while the No. 4 Corvette pairing of Nicky Catsburg and Tommy Milner maintains the GTD PRO points lead, though by a reduced margin.

The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship returns June 28 for the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen at Watkins Glen International, one of the premier endurance races on the North American sports car calendar.

Sports

Dolphins Announce Free 2026 NFL Draft Watch Parties in Fort Lauderdale and Miami

Published

2 months ago

April 16, 2026

FNN SPORTS

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Miami Dolphins will host their 2026 NFL Draft Party presented by Bud Light on Thursday, April 23 at 7 p.m. ET, offering fans two locations across South Florida to watch the first round of the NFL Draft.

The free events will take place at The Wharf Fort Lauderdale and Regatta Grove, providing fans in Broward and Miami-Dade counties an opportunity to gather and celebrate as the draft unfolds.

DRAFT PARTY DETAILS AND FAN EXPERIENCE

Te events are free and open to the public, with fans encouraged to reserve their spots in advance due to limited capacity. Activities will include interactive games, giveaways, photo opportunities, and appearances by the Dolphins mascot and cheerleaders.

Both venues will also feature live panel discussions with current players and team alumni, offering insight, analysis and personal stories related to the draft.

Season ticket members will receive select complimentary food and beverage offerings during the event.

DOLPHINS’ STRONG DRAFT POSITION

Miami enters the 2026 NFL Draft with significant capital, holding 11 total selections, including two first-round picks at Nos. 11 and 30.

The team also holds a second-round pick (No. 43), four third-round selections (Nos. 75, 87, 90 and 94), a fourth-round pick (No. 130), a fifth-round pick (No. 151) and two seventh-round picks (Nos. 227 and 238).

With seven selections in the top 100, this marks one of the franchise’s most anticipated drafts in recent years.

COUNTDOWN TO THE NFL DRAFT

The draft party marks the start of the team’s one-week countdown to the 2026 NFL Draft, as fans prepare to see how Miami builds its roster for the upcoming season.

The dual-location format is designed to expand fan access and engagement across South Florida, bringing together supporters for a shared viewing experience.

Sports

Las Vegas to Host Super Bowl LXIII at Allegiant Stadium in 2029, NFL Announces

Published

2 months ago

March 30, 2026

Willie David

NEW YORK (FNN SPORTS) — The National Football League announced that Las Vegas will host Super Bowl LXIII in 2029 at Allegiant Stadium, marking the second time the city will stage the league’s championship game.

The announcement was made during the NFL’s Annual Meeting in Phoenix, following a review by the league’s Fan Engagement & Major Events Committee and a vote by NFL team owners.

“We’re excited to bring the Super Bowl back to Las Vegas and provide our fans another incredible experience in one of America’s greatest sports and entertainment destinations,” said Roger Goodell, commissioner of the NFL. “Super Bowl LVIII demonstrated the scale, energy and hospitality the city brings to global events, and we look forward to working alongside the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, the Raiders and the community to deliver an even greater experience this time around.”

LAS VEGAS RETURNS AS SUPER BOWL HOST

The 2029 championship will mark the second Super Bowl hosted in Las Vegas. The city debuted as a Super Bowl host in 2024 with Super Bowl LVIII, which attracted more than 330,000 visitors and generated over $1 billion in economic impact, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

“We’re proud the NFL has selected Las Vegas to host Super Bowl LXIII,” said Steve Hill, president and CEO of the LVCVA. “Our first Super Bowl showcased the unique energy and scale only this destination can offer, bringing together world-class sports, entertainment and hospitality in one place. Las Vegas was built for moments like this, and we look forward to delivering another exceptional experience for fans in 2029.”

RAIDERS, COMMUNITY PREPARE FOR GLOBAL EVENT

Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis said the return of the Super Bowl reflects the success of the city’s first hosting effort and the collaboration between the NFL, local leaders and the community.

“It’s a testament to the Raiders, the LVCVA, civic leaders, the community and the NFL working together,” Davis said. “Super Bowl LVIII set a high bar, and for Super Bowl LXIII we are committed to raising it even further.”

FAN EXPERIENCES AND HOSPITALITY PROGRAMS

In the lead-up to Super Bowl LXIII, Las Vegas will host a series of major events across the metropolitan area, including NFL Honors, Super Bowl Experience, and Super Bowl Opening Night, along with community initiatives such as NFL Source, the league’s procurement program supporting local and underrepresented businesses.

Meanwhile, On Location, the NFL’s official hospitality partner, has launched its Priority Access deposit program for Super Bowl LXIII hospitality packages. The program offers fans early access to premium seating, exclusive entertainment, luxury hospitality experiences and other curated game-day packages.