The Cowboys have interviewed or will interview nine candidates for their defensive coordinator position. This may not be their entire list.
“I think we are in the first race“Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones told Tommy Yarrish about the team’s website. “We’re going to cast a wide net, whether it’s half a dozen, 10, 12 coaches when it’s all said and done. I don’t know what that number will be, but we’ll refine it then. We’re already starting to narrow things down, and we’re going to start bringing in guys for in-person interviews, some of the guys that we think would be the right fit. »
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The Cowboys are looking to replace Matt Eberflus, who they fired nine days ago. The defense ranked last in the NFL in scoring, and Dallas’ 511 points allowed were the most in team history.
The new coordinator will be the fourth in four seasons, after Dan Quinn, Mike Zimmer and Eberflus.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer said in his end-of-season press conference that he wanted to have a teacher and communicator as defensive coordinator. The new employee must also be passionate about football and have the ability to simplify complex information.
“When you have the interview, you look for those characteristics,” Jones said. “Are they a great teacher? Can they communicate and verbalize complicated things in a way that makes it easy for the players, so he doesn’t have to think? He’s using his skills and playing 100%, playing fast, playing recklessly in terms of his ability to make plays and not having to think about his assignments because he has a really good idea of what he’s supposed to do.
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“All of those things are the traits that we’re looking for, and we’re definitely seeing that in a lot of the guys that we’re interviewing, and we’re definitely looking at how they’re going to use some of the pieces that we already have in place.”
They will look to lean on linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, defensive end Donovan Ezeirauku and defensive tackles Quinnen Williams, Osa Odighizuwa and Kenny Clark. With two first-round picks, the Cowboys could leave with two more starters on defense.
The Cowboys have no timetable for completing the hiring, Jones said.
The Cowboys have requested or interviewed Packers defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington, Eagles passing coordinator Christian Parker, Giants interim defensive coordinator Charlie Bullen, former Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon, Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr, Browns safeties coach Ephraim Banda, Vikings defensive passing coordinator Daronte Jones, Broncos defensive passing coordinator Jim Leonhard and their own line coach defensive, Aaron Whitecotton.
