The Dallas Cowboys are once again switching things up on the coaching front after missing the playoffs.
The Cowboys fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus after one season and are going through a rigorous interview process to find a new DC. In a long list of candidates, the Cowboys are now bringing in former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon for an interview for the DC role, per a report from Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News.
The Cowboys have plans to interview Jonathan Gannon and Zach Orr tomorrow for their vacant DC job via zoom according to a person with knowledge of the discussions.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) January 12, 2026
Last offseason, Mike Zimmer retired, and the Cowboys hired Eberflus, who had previously been the head coach of the Chicago Bears from 2022 to 2024.
Gannon was fired by the Cardinals following the 2025 NFL season. He had spent three seasons in Arizona as the head coach and went just 15-36 before being fired.
Before coming to the desert, Gannon spent two seasons as the Philadelphia Eagles’ DC and had several defensive assistant roles before that.
So far, here is a list of candidates the Cowboys have interviews set up with for the DC role, via Todd Archer of ESPN.
- Daronte Jones, Minnesota Vikings pass game coordinator
- Ephraim Banda, Cleveland Browns safeties coach
- Jim Leonhard, Denver Broncos assistant HC
- Aaron Whitecotton, Cowboys DL coach
- Zach Orr, Baltimore Ravens DC
- Jonathan Gannon
The Cowboys’ defense finished dead last in points allowed and passing yards per game, second-to-last in interceptions, and third-to-last in total yards allowed per game, so it needed a change.
As for Gannon, he is also being interviewed for the Washington Commanders’ DC job and the Tennessee Titans’ HC opening this week, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
