The Dallas Cowboys haven't exactly made a habit of hiring young defensive coordinators - in fact, the last time they brought in someone under 40 for the role, they were still celebrating their last Super Bowl win. That’s not a coincidence - it speaks to a long-standing preference for experience over youthful innovation. But that mindset might be tested as the Cowboys continue their search to replace Matt Eberflus, especially with a familiar name now in play.
As Dallas narrows its list of candidates, the NFC East landscape just shifted in a big way. The New York Giants made a headline-grabbing move by hiring John Harbaugh, the longtime Baltimore Ravens head coach who was recently let go. That hire doesn’t just shake up the division - it could directly impact the Cowboys' plans.
One of the names in the mix for Dallas is Zach Orr, Harbaugh’s defensive coordinator in Baltimore. Orr already had a preliminary interview with the Cowboys, but with Harbaugh now in New York, there’s growing expectation that Orr could follow his former boss to the Giants. According to reports, Harbaugh is expected to bring a significant portion of his Baltimore staff with him to the Big Apple, and Orr would be a natural fit to make that move.
That would be a tough blow for Dallas, because Orr is exactly the kind of defensive mind the Cowboys should be looking at - young, sharp, and already battle-tested. At just 33 years old, Orr has quickly built a reputation as one of the most promising defensive coaches in the league. And for the Cowboys, this isn’t just about scheme or resume - there’s a local connection that makes Orr’s candidacy even more intriguing.
Orr is a Dallas-area native, a standout at DeSoto High School before playing college ball at North Texas. He went undrafted in 2014 but carved out a spot with the Ravens, where he played linebacker until a neck injury cut his career short just two years in.
From there, he transitioned into coaching, starting as a defensive analyst in Baltimore and eventually working his way up to inside linebackers coach. After a brief stint with the Jaguars in 2021, Harbaugh brought him back to Baltimore, where he rose to defensive coordinator.
In his first year running the Ravens’ defense, Orr helped guide a top-10 unit despite a rash of injuries. The following season, Baltimore slipped out of the top 20, but the overall body of work - especially given the circumstances - still speaks volumes about his potential.
The Cowboys, meanwhile, are coming off a defensive season they'd rather forget. The unit ranked near the bottom of the league, and there’s a clear sense of urgency to turn things around.
That’s why names like Jonathan Gannon, Jim Leonhard, and Daronte Jones - all of whom have received second interviews - are still very much in play. But Orr remains the youngest of the group, and arguably the most intriguing.
Dallas hasn’t hired a DC under 40 since Dave Wannstedt in 1989. That’s a long drought, and while the franchise has traditionally leaned on experience, this could be the moment to break that trend.
Orr has the resume, the local roots, and the upside to be a long-term answer. The question is whether he’ll be available - or if Harbaugh will scoop him up for the Giants before Dallas gets the chance to make a serious offer.
If Orr stays in the mix, this could turn into a homecoming story that Cowboys fans would rally behind. But for now, all eyes are on how Harbaugh builds his staff in New York - and whether that leaves the door open in Dallas.