Report: Cowboys to hire former NFL head coach as defensive coordinator

The Dallas Cowboys are turning to another former NFL head coach to lead the defense on Mike McCarthy’s staff.

The Cowboys are expected to hire former Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer as defensive coordinator, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Thursday.

Zimmer, 67, would take over for Dan Quinn, who was officially named the Washington Commanders’ head coach last week.

Zimmer served as the Vikings’ head coach from 2014-21, leading the team to three playoff appearances while compiling a 72-56-1 record. He began his NFL coaching career as an assistant with the Cowboys in 1994. After serving as a defensive backs coach for three seasons, he held the role of the team’s defensive coordinator from 2000-06.

In Dallas, he will take over a star-studded defense that featured two finalists for Defensive Player of the Year in pass rusher Micah Parsons and cornerback DaRon Bland, who set the NFL record for pick-sixes this season with five pick-sixes.

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Quinn’s defenses were known for creating takeaways and big plays. His units finished fifth in points allowed in each of the last two years.

Dallas’ 2023 season unraveled, however, with a 48-32 loss to the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round.

The Cowboys also interviewed former Commanders coach Ron Rivera and New York Jets safeties coach Marquand Manuel for the defensive coordinator role, according to multiple reports. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones confirmed Thursday that the team also spoke with former Jets and Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan for the position.