Dallas Cowboys make decision over coach Mike McCarthy says is ‘incredible’

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The defensive backs coach and Mike McCarthy are long-time colleagues and will now work side by side.

Now it’s official. Al Harris is the new assistant head coach of the Dallas Cowboys and will also remain the defensive backs coach. The promotion was announced on Tuesday by head coach Mike McCarthy himself.

He told Cowboys media: “I’m looking forward to his leadership in this expanded role. He’s a highly effective mentor and motivator, and our entire team will benefit from him taking this elevated step.”

“Al’s dedication, teamwork, understanding of the game and experience in developing the unique dynamics necessary to support a championship locker room are all part of his special fit for this.”

Rumours that Harris would be promoted began right after Mike Zimmer took over as defensive coordinator. That’s because he was interviewed for the OC job when Dan Quinn left to become head coach of the Washington Commanders.

Harris and McCarthy go way back

Harris played in the NFL between 97 and 2011. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and spent his entire rookie season on the practice squad.

The former cornerback practically made his career with the Green Bay Packers, the team where he met McCarthy. He was coached by his current co-worker between 2006 and 2010, until the two began working together on the Cowboys’ staff in 2020. A relationship that has changed over the years.

Speaking earlier this season, McCarthy said, quoted by AtoZ: “Al’s an incredible coach, and I think anytime you have a chance to be in a room not only with someone that’s an expert of how to do it but he’s also done it, that carries a lot of weight in this game without a doubt.”

Now the ex-NFL player is about to enter his fifth year in Dallas and seems excited about the opportunity to become the head coach’s right-hand man.

“I appreciate Coach McCarthy and the Cowboys for entrusting me with the responsibility of assisting the head coach in our pursuit of winning championships.”

Harris was largely responsible for the successful development of players like Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland.

In 2021, Diggs led the league in interceptions (13). Bland, meanwhile, is returning from an All-Pro season last year, when he broke an NFL record with five interceptions returned for touchdowns.