The Dallas Cowboys made sure to cast a wide net this time around in their search for a new defensive coordinator.
After firing Matt Eberflus following his only season as the Cowboys’ DC, Dallas hired Christian Parker, who spent the past two seasons as the passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach with the Philadelphia Eagles.
On Monday, a series of defensive coaching changes were announced as the staff continues to change. According to Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News, three coaches were let go.
As part of the defensive coaching changes with the Cowboys, Andre Curtis, David Overstreet II and Dave Borgonzi will not return for the 2026 season according to a person with knowledge of the decision.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) January 26, 2026
Borgonzi was the linebackers coach, Overstreet coached the safeties and secondary, and Curtis was the defensive pass game coordinator.
Curtis, Borgonzi and Overstreet all just finished their first season at Dallas after being with Eberflus with the Chicago Bears, so it seems there is even more turnover than initially expected with the defensive staff.
This move comes on the heels of Watkins’ previous report, which stated that the assistants were allowed to search for other jobs.
Cowboys assistant coaches have been given permission to seek other jobs and to interview with new DC Christian Parker to remain with the staff. Some coaches are at Senior Bowl getting ready for those practices next week.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) January 24, 2026
Parker’s move to Dallas is a big one, and it is a bit different than the route the Cowboys have gone in the past for the DC role.
