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ATLANTA - The Atlanta Falcons long wait for new leadership on the field finally ended Monday when Seattle defensive co-ordinator Dan Quinn was named the teams coach.The Falcons said Quinn will be introduced at a news conference on Tuesday. Quinn replaces Mike Smith, who was fired following a 6-10 finish in 2014.The team did not release details of the deal, but a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press earlier Monday that Quinn agreed to a five-year contract.Falcons owner Arthur Blank said he was impressed by Quinns definitive plan for our football team and what it will take to win on a consistent basis.He also has a proven ability to develop players by maximizing their individual strengths, Blank said.The Falcons exercised patience while waiting for Quinn, who could not be offered a job until after Seattles 28-24 Super Bowl loss Sunday night to the New England Patriots.This felt like the right fit from the beginning, and I want to thank Mr. Blank for his resolve as this was an extended and complicated process, Quinn said in a statement released by the team. My goal is to build upon the foundation that has been laid here and to play a physical brand of football as we build a championship calibre team.Quinn, 44, helped Seattle reach back-to-back Super Bowls. Seattle beat Denver in last years championship.His strong record in his two years with Seattle won over the Falcons, who have struggled on defence while finishing a combined 10-22 the past two seasons. The Falcons allowed the most total yards and yards passing in the league this season.The Seahawks led the NFL in scoring defence, total defence and takeaways while winning the Super Bowl last season. Quinns defence shined in the Super Bowl win over Peyton Manning and the Broncos. He previously was defensive line coach for the Seahawks, 49ers, Dolphins and Jets.Seattle ranked sixth in total defence this season.Quinn followed Detroit defensive co-ordinator Teryl Austin as the second candidate to have a follow-up interview with the Falcons.Quinns second interview came in the bye week following the AFC championship game. Blank on Monday thanked Seattle coach Pete Carroll for granting Quinn permission for the follow-up meeting with the Falcons.I would like to personally thank Seahawks coach Pete Carroll for his patience and support during our head coach search, Blank said. Im sure the Seahawks will be sorry to see Dan leave, but no one has been more supportive of this opportunity for Dan than Pete.Carroll recently described Quinn as a great communicator and a fantastic teacher. Hes got a real toughness about him - innovative.Carroll said Quinn has tremendous relationships wherever hes been around the league. Hes been a guy that wherever he goes people rave about. We feel the same way.While the Falcons waited to complete their interview process with Quinn, other candidates, including Rex Ryan, were hired by other teams. Ryan, the former Jets coach, had one interview with Atlanta before accepting a job as Buffalos coach.Arizona defensive co-ordinator Todd Bowles called off a second interview with Atlanta to become the Jets coach.The Falcons also interviewed New England offensive co-ordinator Josh McDaniels, Broncos offensive co-ordinator Adam Gase, former Bills coach Doug Marrone and Atlanta special teams coach Keith Armstrong.Quinn was the University of Floridas defensive co-ordinator in 2011-12 before taking over the Seahawks defence.Quinn, a native of Morristown, New Jersey, was a defensive lineman at and two-time co-captain at Division III Salisbury State in Maryland. He was inducted into the schools Hall of Fame in 2005.Smith had a 66-46 regular-season record in seven seasons, including two NFC South titles. He had winning seasons in each of his first five years with the team — bringing instant relevance to a franchise which previously had never enjoyed back-to-back winning seasons.The Falcons won only one of five playoff games under Smith.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL___Follow Charles Odum on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CharlesOdum Discount Air Max 9 . The Mavericks avoided a season sweep by the Nuggets, who ran away with a win in Denver two weeks ago to hand Dallas its longest losing streak at three games. Dallas (42-28) got a boost in the playoff race when Miami rallied from seven down in the last 3 1/2 minutes to beat Memphis 91-86 Friday night. Wholesale Air Max 97 . Amare Stoudemire had 22 points and 10 rebounds, Carmelo Anthony scored 21 and the New York Knicks won their eighth straight game, 93-92 over Philadelphia on Friday night, sending the Sixers to their 23rd straight loss. http://www.wholesaleairmax97.com/. Coetzees finish, with six birdies and no bogeys, took him to 19-under 268 overall and past South African compatriots Thomas Aiken and Justin Walters, the overnight co-leaders. Coetzee was flawless on the East Course at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club to clinch his maiden title after 24 top 10 finishes. Cheap Air Max 97 . -- Canadian ski cross star Marielle Thompson accomplished two goals in one race Saturday. Air Max 97 Sale . The team said Saturday that the 36-year-old Robidas is expected to miss four to six months, jeopardizing his return this season. He was injured when he slid hard into the boards in the second period of a 2-1 shootout loss to Chicago on Friday.LONDON - Bahrain has been blocking Qatar from hosting a Formula One race, according to Bernie Ecclestone.Bahrain, which first hosted an F1 race in 2004, has to approve other races in the region following an agreement with Ecclestone. The country did agree to allow a second race in the Middle East in Abu Dhabi since 2009.When we went to Bahrain I made a deal with the people there, Ecclestone said. They said to me that as they were going to be something new in the area, would I give them a guarantee I wouldnt stage another race in the Gulf, and I said, YYes.ddddddddddddEcclestone said it was a handshake deal with Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. While Bahrain approved Abu Dhabis place on the F1 calendar, Ecclestone said a similar deal has not yet been agreed to about Qatar.Now this other race has been proposed, Ecclestone said, discussing Qatar. So I put the people together and said Can you sort this out between you? They havent managed to do it.Qatar has a facility in Losail that hosts MotoGP and World Superbikes, while the annual FIA gala was held in Doha last week. ' ' '