If one thing is for certain about the Dallas Cowboys’ search for a new defensive coordinator, it’s that they are following through on the promise they gave in the season-end press conference. This has, indeed, been a search cast with an open net.
In the first seven days of interviews, the Cowboys have virtually spoken with nine candidates with various backgrounds and specialties. It’s simply viewed as the first round of discussions, with a second round of in-person interviews to follow.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer has played the biggest role in the search ahead of front office constituents Jerry Jones, Stephen Jones and Will McClay. While those figures have played a role, specifically in the interviews themselves, it’s been Schottenheimer’s show behind the scenes, according to multiple team sources. Other voices such as offensive coordinator Klayton Adams and game management coordinator Ryan Feder have also played notable roles.
Let’s take a look at all nine current candidates and make the case for and against each option:
Ephraim Banda, Browns safeties coach
Interviewed: Jan. 9
For: Banda worked under Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz for the past three seasons and helped post two top-three pass defenses, including the top-ranked group in 2023. If the Cowboys can’t get their hands on interviewing Schwartz, having Banda in the building could provide the same ideas and concepts.
Against: Banda’s only two seasons as a play-caller came at the college level at Utah State, and neither campaign was successful from a statistical standpoint. In 2021, his group was 77th out of 130 teams in yards allowed per game, and in 2022, his group was 82nd out of 131 teams. His only NFL experience has seen him work in a position-only role for just three seasons.
Charlie Bullen, Giants interim defensive coordinator
Interviewed: Jan 15
For: In just five games as New York’s interim defensive coordinator in 2025, Bullen’s unit drastically improved across the board from yards allowed (30th in NFL prior to change, 11th after) to points allowed (30th to 12th) to red zone touchdowns allowed (31st to fifth) and more. Thirteen seasons as an NFL assistant would provide more experience than a similar candidate with such a small sample size as a play-caller.
Against: In his 13 seasons as an assistant, he has never been a part of a top-10 defense. And while his limited sample size as a play-caller is encouraging, it is just that: limited. He would possibly be a better fit as a linebackers coach or pass rush specialist on a staff under a separate coordinator.
DeMarcus Covington, Packers run game coordinator/defensive line coach
Interviewed: Jan. 16
For: Covington worked under Jeff Hafley in Green Bay, a coordinator who has gotten significant head coaching interest after his job for the Packers over the past three seasons.
Against: His one season as a coordinator in 2024 with the New England Patriots did not turn in great results. His group was 22nd in yards and points allowed, and 23rd in rushing yards allowed. As the run game coordinator in Green Bay this past season, the Packers were 18th in rushing yards allowed.
Jonathan Gannon, former Cardinals head coach
Interviewed: Jan. 13
For: Gannon has experience in the NFC East as coordinator for the Eagles in 2021 and 2022 when he posted top-10 total defenses in each campaign. His experience coaching alongside Schottenheimer and Adams would allow for cohesion early in concept-building and practice scheduling.
Against: Gannon’s two biggest mentors are coincidentally the two coordinators Dallas has pivoted from in the past two seasons: Mike Zimmer and Matt Eberflus. While his zone-heavy concepts do differ from those two, the Cowboys would essentially be hiring yet another coordinator who has struggled to consistently be in the top half of the league in takeaways and rushing yards allowed. Additionally, his time as a head coach in Arizona was simply a disaster with a 15-36 overall record in three seasons.
Daronte Jones, Vikings pass game coordinator
Interviewed: Jan. 9
For: The Cowboys openly praised Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores before and after they faced his pressure-heavy, chaotic group late in the season. And while he is still a candidate to keep an eye on after his contract expired in Minnesota earlier this week, he could be better fit for a head coaching role this offseason. With that, Jones could be the disciple who could bring the same concepts and ideas to Dallas as Flores’ right-hand man. Minnesota had the second-best pass defense in the NFL this season.
Against: Jones’ one season as a defensive coordinator came at the college level, where he led LSU’s defense in 2021 to being the 76th-ranked group in the nation and 10th in the SEC. He wasn’t retained after the one campaign. In his eight seasons as an NFL assistant prior to the success of 2025, Jones had a pass defense ranked in the top half of the NFL just twice (15th and 16th with the Dolphins in 2016 and 2017, respectively). Is this really a branch off the Brian Flores coaching tree, or is he simply a benefactor of Flores’ defensive mind?
Jim Leonhard, Broncos pass game coordinator
Interviewed: Jan. 10
For: If you go back and listen to what Schottenheimer said he was looking for in the season-end press conference, Leonhard checks a lot of boxes. Need takeaways? Check. Need a teacher? Check. Need energy? Check. Leonhard brings fascinating experience from his time as a player and coach to the table, including his six stellar seasons as defensive coordinator at the University of Wisconsin (four top-five FBS defenses) and his last two seasons with the Broncos (17th and seventh in pass defense). His disguised coverage and simulated pressure scheme would bring a layer of complication for opposing offenses that Dallas hasn’t brought defensively in some time.
Against: Hiring a play-caller with just two seasons at the NFL level is a major risk. Yes, Leonhard’s experience at the college level was about as a high of a grade as it could be, but the ability to show adaptability over time at the NFL level is a different animal. When opposing offensive coordinators get that first six-game sample-size from his scheme and concepts, they will adjust and attack. Is there evidence that he can react to that accordingly?
Zach Orr, former Ravens defensive coordinator
Interviewed: Jan. 13
For: A specialist in run game plans, Orr’s first year as a coordinator with the Ravens in 2024 saw Baltimore allow the fewest rushing yards of any team in the league by a 217-yard margin. If Orr has a quality pass game coordinator to be his running mate as the defensive coordinator, he could end up being a splendid hire with his run-fit teaching and front-seven production. Not to mention, he’s a local product (DeSoto High School and North Texas), and he has experience coaching with Schottenheimer in Jacksonville in 2021.
Against: His pass defenses haven’t quite lived up to his run game standards (31st and 30th in pass yards allowed in 2024 and 2025, respectively). The success of an Orr hire would be largely dependent on who would be coaching his secondary, meaning that Jerry Jones would have to be convinced to fork up defensive coordinator money for two separate hires. And if he doesn’t, then a lot of pressure would be put on an unproven pass game specialist.
Christian Parker, Eagles pass game coordinator/defensive backs coach
Interviewed: Jan. 15
For: Success oozes off Parker’s resume, whether it be his three top-eight pass defenses in five seasons or playing key roles in the NFL developments of Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II and Eagles cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. All three have earned AP first-team All-Pro nods under his guidance, and more have earned solidified starting roles. Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is regarded as one of the best defensive minds in the league, and Parker appears to be his next disciple to get a coordinator job. It’s just a matter of when, not if.
Against: At 34, Parker would be one of the youngest defensive coordinators in the NFL. Whether that’s viewed as a positive or negative is in the eye of the beholder, but the Cowboys haven’t ever hired a defensive coordinator younger than 37, and each of the last six have been over the age of 51. With age comes experience and the ability to adapt. As a first-time play-caller, there would be hurdles. Could he overcome them with the limited time as an NFL assistant?
Aaron Whitecotton, Cowboys defensive line coach
Interviewed: Jan. 12
For: Whitecotton’s time with the New York Jets from 2021 to 2024 saw multiple players explode their production. Among them was Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who has seen all four of his Pro Bowl seasons under Whitecotton’s tutelage. His attack-front style marries with what Schottenheimer has publicly stated he did like amid the fray of the Cowboys’ 2025 defense.
Against: Although the Cowboys traded away Micah Parsons just days before the season started, the expectations were still higher for the defensive line. The Cowboys finished tied for 22nd in sacks and 23rd in rushing yards allowed despite veterans up front like Dante Fowler Jr. and Jadeveon Clowney, along with an intriguing rookie in Donovan Ezeiruaku.
Nick Harris
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