The Dallas Cowboys are bringing in longtime NFL coach Mike Pettine as a senior defensive assistant to work with defensive coordinator Christian Parker, as the defense has struggled through five games. The unit ranks 31st in yards and 26th in points allowed, with the worst-ranked run defense at 168.4 yards per game.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said the idea had been discussed for a long time. Parker first approached Pettine, 60, about joining the staff after he was hired in January, but Pettine had just announced his retirement. Schottenheimer said the move would have happened even if the Cowboys had beaten the previously winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday. "The most important thing for us was making sure we got the right guy," Schottenheimer said.
Pettine has extensive experience, including serving as assistant head coach with the Minnesota Vikings from 2022 to 2025 and as Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator for four years. He also gave Parker his first NFL job as a quality control coach in 2019. Pettine can act as a sounding board for Parker, freeing him to study league trends and adjust schemes. Schottenheimer said this allows a more holistic approach.
Parker, 34, is in his first year as defensive coordinator after eight years in the NFL, including time as the Philadelphia Eagles' defensive passing game coordinator. Players have praised his communication style, but results have lagged. Opposing quarterbacks have completed 72.3% of their passes, and the Cowboys have yet to record an interception while managing just five sacks.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing