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Dallas Cowboys Sign Two Defensive Coaches Amid NFL Offseason

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Jan 31, 2026 7:04 PM ET

The Dallas Cowboys are in the midst of a major coaching overhaul after a forgettable 2025 season. They finished the campaign with a 7-9-1 record and missed the NFL playoffs for a second straight year.

Defense, in particular, was an area wherein the Cowboys fell short this past season. They ranked 30th in total yards allowed (6,409), dead last in passing yards allowed (4,276) and 31st in passing touchdowns allowed (35). Their defense did not perform much better against the run, ranking 23rd in rushing yards allowed (2,133) and last in rushing TDs allowed (24).

As a result, the Cowboys fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus just two days after their final regular-season game. Someone had to take the fall, and Eberflus got the short end of the stick.

Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus on the sideline.Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

After an exhaustive search for their next defensive coordinator, the Cowboys hired Christian Parker from the Philadelphia Eagles. Dallas successfully poached the 34-year-old coach from their NFC East rivals, marking a new era for the Cowboys' defensive coaching staff.

Parker and the Cowboys' front office have since been busy revamping the coaching team. Dallas parted ways with three defensive position coaches: defensive pass game coordinator Andre Curtis, secondary/cornerbacks coach David Overstreet and linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi. Defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton moved on to the Tennessee Titans as their new run game coordinator/defensive line coach.

On Saturday, news emerged that the Cowboys have filled two vacancies on the defensive coaching staff. According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, Dallas has agreed deals with Derrick Ansley as their new defensive pass game coordinator/defensive backs coach and Ryan Smith as their new secondary coach.

Parker’s coaching staff is now beginning to take shape. These early moves indicate how the Cowboys are aligning their defensive vision by bringing in experienced coaches.

Ansley, a former NFL safety, spent the past two seasons with the Green Bay Packers as their pass game coordinator. The 44-year-old previously served as defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans and the Los Angeles Chargers.

Smith, on the other hand, was the cornerbacks coach for the Arizona Cardinals last season. Prior to his stint with the Cardinals, Smith coached at the college level with Northwestern University and Virginia Tech.

More changes are expected for the Cowboys in the coming weeks as Parker continues to build his coaching staff for 2026.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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