How many coaches did the Dallas Cowboys interview for their defensive staff?

The Dallas Cowboys interviewed about 20 coaches for their defensive staff.

Do the new defensive hires have prior ties to coordinator Christian Parker?

Many of the newly hired defensive coaches do not have prior working relationships with Christian Parker.

How does the Cowboys' current defensive coaching search differ from past searches?

The current search differs as many new hires lack prior ties to the coordinator, unlike previous seasons where coordinators often brought in familiar faces.

Home / Sports / Cowboys Defensive Hires: Beyond the Usual Suspects

Cowboys Defensive Hires: Beyond the Usual Suspects

3 Feb

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Summary

Cowboys interviewed about 20 defensive coaches for new coordinator.
New hires lack prior ties to coordinator Christian Parker.
This hiring strategy differs from past Cowboys coaching searches.

Cowboys Defensive Hires: Beyond the Usual Suspects

The Dallas Cowboys are undertaking a thorough process to fill out their defensive coaching staff under new coordinator Christian Parker, having interviewed around 20 candidates. A notable aspect of this search is that many of the coaches hired, such as Derrick Ansley and Ryan Smith, do not have pre-existing ties to Parker. This strategy represents a shift from the Cowboys' historical practice of hiring coaches with established connections, as seen with previous defensive coordinators like Mike Nolan, Dan Quinn, and Mike Zimmer.

In contrast to past searches where coordinators like Matt Eberflus brought former colleagues from the Chicago Bears, the Cowboys are now looking beyond personal networks. Even the offensive staff in the prior year, led by Brian Schottenheimer, found success despite limited prior relationships among the coaches. This widespread approach to finding defensive talent, considering various schemes and backgrounds, suggests a deliberate effort to foster a cohesive unit, even without prior familiarity.