The Dallas Cowboys are wasting no time reshaping their defensive coaching staff under new coordinator Christian Parker. The latest addition?
Derrick Ansley, who’s coming over from Green Bay, where he served as the Packers’ passing game coordinator. He joins a growing list of defensive minds being brought in to help Parker put his stamp on this unit.
Ansley’s coaching journey has taken him through both the college and pro ranks. He broke into the NFL with the then-Oakland Raiders in 2018 as their defensive backs coach.
After a two-year stint leading the secondary at Tennessee, he jumped back into the league with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021. There, he climbed the ladder quickly-first as DBs coach, then as defensive coordinator in 2023.
Most recently, he’s spent the past two seasons in Green Bay, helping guide the Packers’ pass defense.
This move follows another recent hire by Dallas: former Cardinals cornerbacks coach Ryan Smith. Together, Smith and Ansley bring a wealth of experience in developing defensive backs-a clear sign the Cowboys are doubling down on improving their secondary.
But the hiring spree isn’t done yet. The Cowboys are set to interview a trio of intriguing candidates this weekend.
On Saturday, they’ll sit down with Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers coach Denzel Martin and Philadelphia Eagles assistant linebackers coach Ronell Williams. Both have earned reputations as rising stars in the coaching world, especially when it comes to developing young talent in the second level of the defense.
Then on Sunday, Dallas will meet with Eric Henderson, USC’s run game coordinator and defensive line coach. Henderson is no stranger to the NFL, having previously worked with the Los Angeles Rams, where he helped build one of the league’s most disruptive defensive fronts.
What we’re seeing here is a front office and coaching staff that’s not just filling vacancies-they’re building a vision. With Christian Parker at the helm, the Cowboys are clearly prioritizing versatility, experience, and player development across all levels of the defense. Ansley’s addition is just the latest piece of that puzzle, and it’s becoming increasingly clear that Dallas wants to hit the ground running in 2026 with a defense that can match the firepower of its offense.