Five options to be Dallas Cowboys new defensive coordinator, including Super Bowl finalist

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The defensive coordinator position for the Dallas Cowboys is open, and several strong candidates are available.

Dan Quinn was on the job for three seasons, but in 2024, the Cowboys will be facing him and the Washington Commanders twice.

While Quinn was a popular figure amongst his defensive players, there are plenty of big names for Mike McCarthy to choose from as his replacement.

Here’s a look at the potential candidates.

Mike Vrabel

Having a right-hand man with a successful head coaching resume for three years was a massive asset for McCarthy.

The good news is that there are numerous candidates with equally if not more impressive head coaching resumes than Quinn.

The most popular choice played under Bill Belichick in New England, with Mike Vrabel winning three Super Bowls as a linebacker.

After six seasons as Tennessee Titans head coach, the 2021 Coach of the Year is looking for work.

He had four winning seasons in Tennessee, taking them to the AFC Championship Game in 2019 while capturing the AFC South twice.

Mike Zimmer

Mike Zimmer has been out of the NFL since his firing as Vikings head coach in 2021, but he knows Jerry Jones well.

Zimmer served as Cowboys defensive backs coach during their 1995 Super Bowl triumph, eventually working his way up to defensive coordinator, a post he held from 2000-06.

He coached Minnesota for eight seasons, taking them to the 2017 NFC Championship Game.

Ron Rivera

Even with Washington’s struggles over the past two seasons, you’d think McCarthy would strongly consider adding Ron Rivera to his staff.

Like Quinn, Rivera also captured the Assistant Coach of the Year Award before, while winning Coach of the Year twice in Carolina.

He has over a dozen years of NFL head coaching experience, guiding the Panthers to a Super Bowl appearance.

Brandon Staley

An outside candidate could be Brandon Staley, the former head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.

Things didn’t work out well for him as a head coach, but he’s had prior success as an assistant.

The 2020 Los Angeles Rams allowed fewer points and yards than anyone in the NFL with Staley as defensive coordinator.

Or an internal promotion…

If McCarthy is thinking of promoting from within, there’s a good chance Al Harris gets the job.

As defensive backs coach, Harris has worked closely with DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs, helping them emerge as All-Pro corners.

He’d be a tremendous morale boost for this team.

Joe Whitt Jr. has coached the Cowboys’ secondary and pass game since 2021 and was a part of the Packers’ 2010 Super Bowl triumph under McCarthy.

The Cowboys were first and second in turnover differential in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Finally, Aden Durde has seen Micah Parsons become an All-Pro linebacker, while DeMarcus Lawrence is an elite run defender, and Osa Odighizuwa is turning into a strong pass rusher in the interior.

The Cowboys defensive line coach has been on the job for three years, bringing a lot to the table.