The Dallas Cowboys are on the verge of making a key addition to their defensive coaching staff, with defensive coordinator Christian Parker zeroing in on Arizona Cardinals cornerbacks coach Ryan Smith. While the deal isn’t official just yet, multiple reports indicate it’s all but done, with Smith meeting in person with the team and other suitors circling.
Smith may not be a household name-yet-but his résumé is quietly impressive, especially for a coach who’s only been in the NFL for three seasons. And while Arizona’s secondary struggled in 2025, it’s worth looking a little deeper before drawing conclusions about Smith’s impact.
Let’s rewind to 2024. That season, the Cardinals’ defense turned a corner in the second half of the year, and Smith’s fingerprints were all over it.
Arizona allowed just 10 passing touchdowns over the final 11 games-the fewest in the league during that stretch. They also ranked fourth in scoring defense during that same span, giving up just 19.6 points per game.
That’s not a fluke; it’s a sign of a unit that found its identity and tightened up against the pass when it mattered most.
Before arriving in Arizona, Smith built his coaching foundation in the college ranks, and it’s a path that should resonate with fans who value development and versatility. He spent nine seasons at the collegiate level, working with defensive backs at programs like Virginia Tech, Northwestern, Elon, and Penn State. At each stop, he earned a reputation as a detail-oriented teacher who connects with players and maximizes talent.
One of the more intriguing chapters of Smith’s coaching journey came at James Madison University, where he worked under Curt Cignetti-now a national championship-winning head coach at Indiana-and alongside Bryant Haines, Indiana’s current defensive coordinator. In 2019, Smith coached safeties and served as the program’s pro scout liaison.
That JMU defense tied for seventh in the FCS with 17 interceptions, and 11 of those came from the safety group. That kind of production speaks volumes about Smith’s ability to develop playmakers on the back end.
If the Cowboys finalize the hire, Smith will be stepping into a cornerback room that includes DaRon Bland, Shavon Revel Jr., Caelen Carson, Reddy Steward, Twrikweze Bridges, and Zion Childress. It’s a group with athleticism and upside, but also one that underwhelmed in 2025.
The secondary often looked out of sync, and the coaching disconnect showed early and often. It wasn’t just a talent issue-it was a cohesion issue.
That’s where the pairing of Parker and Smith becomes so intriguing. Parker himself has a strong background coaching defensive backs, with experience in both Philadelphia and Denver. Now, with Smith potentially joining him, the Cowboys are doubling down on technical expertise and player development in the secondary.
And with two first-round picks in hand, there’s a strong chance Dallas will add another young corner to the mix. That means Smith could immediately have a hand in molding a high-ceiling rookie alongside a group that’s hungry to bounce back.
Bottom line: this move, once finalized, would be about more than just adding a coach-it would be about resetting the tone in the secondary. The Cowboys are betting that Smith’s blend of NFL experience, college development chops, and recent success in Arizona can help turn coverage from a liability into a strength in 2026.