Cowboys Defensive Staff Undergoes Major Overhaul as Christian Parker Assembles His Team
There’s a defensive reset happening in Dallas, and it’s not just a tweak around the edges - it’s a full-on overhaul. Following the hire of Christian Parker as the Cowboys’ new defensive coordinator, the team has parted ways with three key defensive assistants: pass game coordinator Andre Curtis, cornerbacks coach David Overstreet II, and linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi. Those moves were confirmed by team sources and mark a significant shift in direction for a unit that struggled mightily in 2025.
The shakeup didn’t stop there. Defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton is also out - but by his own choice.
He’s heading to the Tennessee Titans to take on the same position. Whitecotton had interviewed for the Titans’ defensive coordinator role and was also in the mix for the Cowboys’ DC job before Parker was hired.
Ultimately, he’ll reunite with Robert Saleh in Tennessee, a familiar face from their time together with the Jets from 2021 to 2024.
At the moment, the only defensive position coach still standing in Dallas is nickels coach Darian Thompson - though even his status remains uncertain as Parker begins assembling his first staff as a coordinator.
And let’s be clear: this kind of turnover doesn’t happen in a vacuum. The Cowboys’ defense in 2025 was, simply put, one of the worst in the league.
They gave up 377 yards per game - good for 30th in the NFL - and were dead last against the pass, surrendering 251.5 yards per game through the air. Just two days after the season ended, defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus was shown the door after just one year on the job.
That move signaled the start of what’s now become a sweeping rebuild on that side of the ball.
Parker, who was previously the pass game coordinator in Philadelphia, has been given the green light to reshape the staff in his image. So far, the Cowboys have interviewed several candidates for key positions, including former Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, Steelers outside linebackers coach Denzel Martin, Eagles assistant linebackers coach Ronell Williams, and Vikings defensive line coach Marcus Dixon.
One thing to watch: the Cowboys are expected to bring in a run game coordinator to complement Parker, whose background is heavily rooted in the secondary and pass defense. That hire will be critical in balancing the staff and shoring up a run defense that had its own share of issues last season.
There’s also a possibility the Cowboys revisit some of the names they interviewed for the defensive coordinator role - particularly if those coaches don’t land DC jobs elsewhere. One name to keep an eye on is Zach Orr. The former Ravens defensive coordinator is a DeSoto native and has a past connection with Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer from their time together in Jacksonville back in 2021.
Bottom line: Dallas is in the middle of a defensive reboot, and Parker’s vision is just starting to take shape. After a season where the defense was more liability than asset, the Cowboys are betting on fresh voices and new leadership to turn things around.