Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn would have been interested in the Cleveland Browns' head-coaching vacancy had the team waited until Seattle's playoff run was over, he told the Cleveland Plain Dealer after the Super Bowl.

The Browns hired Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine as coach in January, after Browns CEO Joe Banner decided not to wait for the Seahawks to complete their postseason run to interview Quinn.

"I certainly would've been interested," Quinn told the newspaper after his defense dominated the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII. "I mean, it's a big-time place. It's the Cleveland Browns."

Quinn had decided heading into the Super Bowl that he would not interview with the Browns for a second time until after the game, but the Browns didn't wait, a decision Banner called "the toughest decision" of the coaching search.

Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn didn't want to interview for jobs before the Super Bowl. AP Photo/Paul Jasienski

The Browns said they did not wait to interview Quinn a second time because they knew Pettine was available, and they weren't sure Quinn would be their choice even if there was a second interview.

"I think we felt that we knew [Quinn] well enough to make the comparison. That was a tough decision, frankly," Banner said.

The Seahawks forced four turnovers and held Peyton Manning and the Broncos' offense to one score. Seattle led after 12 seconds and won 43-8.

Quinn said he didn't have any regrets about staying with Seattle.

"To me, it was important," he said of his decision not to interview during the postseason. "The relationship I have with these players, to understand we're all in it together -- I couldn't be more proud to be part of that group."

ESPN.com Browns reporter Pat McManamon contributed to this report.