The Dallas Cowboys are continuing to reshape their defensive identity this offseason, and the latest addition to the staff brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the secondary. Derrick Ansley has officially joined the Cowboys as their defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator, linking up with newly hired defensive coordinator Christian Parker in what’s shaping up to be a fresh start for Dallas’ defense.
Ansley’s coaching résumé is nothing short of extensive. He’s made the rounds in both college football and the NFL, with stops that include Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, the Raiders, Chargers, and most recently, the Packers. He’s no stranger to the SEC or the pro game, and that versatility is a big part of what makes this hire so intriguing for Dallas.
His first stint at Tennessee came back in 2012, where he worked under Derek Dooley and defensive coordinator Sal Sunseri as the Vols’ cornerbacks coach. That year, he helped develop future NFL talent like Justin Coleman, Brian Randolph, and Byron Moore. After that, he sharpened his defensive chops at Kentucky and Alabama - where he helped Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide win a pair of national championships, first as a graduate assistant in 2011 and later as the defensive backs coach in 2017.
Ansley’s return to Tennessee in 2019 saw him elevated to defensive coordinator under Jeremy Pruitt. His tenure there ended after two seasons due to NCAA violations tied to the program, but he quickly found his footing in the NFL.
From 2021 to 2023, Ansley worked with the Los Angeles Chargers, contributing to a secondary that featured standout play from Derwin James and Asante Samuel Jr. He then spent two seasons with the Green Bay Packers, continuing to build his reputation as a sharp defensive mind with a knack for developing DBs.
Now, he brings that experience to a Cowboys team that’s expected to be active in revamping its secondary this offseason. There’s already buzz connecting Dallas to several cornerbacks in the upcoming NFL Draft, including Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood. In fact, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah recently projected Hood to the Cowboys at No. 12 overall in his latest mock draft - a pick that would make a lot of sense if Dallas wants to pair young talent with a proven developer like Ansley.
Ansley’s arrival also comes at a time of major coaching turnover within the Tennessee program, where he once made his mark. Since the end of the 2025 season, Josh Heupel’s staff has undergone a significant shakeup on the defensive side of the ball.
The Vols brought in former Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to take over the same role in Knoxville, and he’s already added co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Anthony Poindexter to the mix. Michael Hunter Jr. is on board as the cornerbacks coach, while A.J.
Jackson will coach the LEOs.
Despite the changes, some continuity remains. Knowles retained linebackers coach William Inge and defensive line coach Rodney Garner from the previous staff under Tim Banks - who, for his part, has landed at Auburn as the Tigers’ safeties coach under head coach Alex Golesh. That reunion sets the stage for an interesting matchup next season when Auburn heads to Knoxville.
But back in Dallas, the focus is on what Ansley can bring to a defense that’s looking to take the next step. With Parker calling the shots and Ansley overseeing the back end, the Cowboys are banking on a new vision - one that blends NFL experience, college pedigree, and a proven ability to coach up defensive backs. If the pieces fall into place, this could be a significant upgrade for a unit that’s been looking to recapture its swagger.