Florida promotes Durkin to DC

Published Jan. 17, 2013 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Florida coach Will Muschamp wasted little time finding a replacement for departing defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.

Muschamp promoted linebacker coach/special teams coordinator D.J. Durkin to the position Thursday.

Quinn accepted an offer to return to the NFL as Seattle's defensive coordinator earlier Thursday, hours after former Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley left to take the head-coaching job with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Quinn served as Florida's coordinator the past two seasons, working closely with Muschamp as the Gators ranked in the top 10 nationally in total defense. Durkin will fill the same role while remaining as linebackers coach.

Muschamp says he encourages assistants ''to take the next step in their career.'' He adds that Quinn has a ''great chance to go back to a place he's familiar with.''