Parker replaces Matt Eberflus, who was fired by the Cowboys after the team’s last-in-the-league defensive performance in 2025.
FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys officially introduced the new leader of their defense on Wednesday afternoon.
Christian Parker, 34, served as the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive passing game coordinator for the last two seasons and was a defensive backs coach for the Denver Broncos before that. He now becomes the Cowboys’ fourth defensive coordinator in as many seasons, and the youngest defensive coordinator in team history.
He replaces Matt Eberflus, who was fired by the Cowboys after the team’s last-in-the-league defensive performance in 2025.Â
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said he and the hiring committee conducted 40 interviews for the position — including interviews with nine current coordinators across the league — and shared that Parker was the last Zoom interview the team held.
“Every impression we had with CP just left us wanting more,” Schottenheimer said. “The conviction that [Parker] has … but curious. His calm demeanor. You guys will get to know him. Just the way he carries himself, he’s awesome.”
Parker will be tasked with fixing a Cowboys defense that ranked dead last in scoring defense, allowing 30.1 points per game (the only team in the NFL to crack the 30-point threshold), and finished third-to-last in allowing 377 yards per game.
Parker, who played college football at the University of Richmond before climbing the coaching ranks, said his defensive system with the Cowboys will be multifaceted.Â
Join new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, alongside head coach Brian Schottenheimer, for an introductory press conference presented by @MillerLite.
📺: More highlights on https://t.co/fiDTYis4QL
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) February 18, 2026
“Whenever you form a defensive structure, it’s about the players that you have,” Parker said. “Core principles will be a 3-4 [defense] by nature, but 4-3 spacing will be appropriate… 4-2-5 in nickel… different front structures and coverages behind it. But being multiple is the most important thing about [the defense].”
Schottenheimer said that team owners Jerry and Stephen Jones stayed in constant communication throughout the hiring process and dove deep into the conversations the team had with candidates about concept and scheme. Schottenheimer called the process “great” and said the team “hit a home run” in hiring Parker.
Schottenheimer also praised Parker’s work in developing players, including Broncos corner Patrick Surtain in his Denver stint, as well as Eagles defensive backs Cooper Dejean and Quinyon Mitchell.
Parker stressed his defensive philosophy is to tailor the system and scheme to the players and what they do well, rather than trying to find players who fit a particular scheme. His points of emphasis are stopping the run and affecting the quarterback, he told reporters Wednesday.
“Sometimes affecting the quarterback comes through pressure, sometimes it comes through disguise,” Parker said. “If you can stop the run and get [the opposing team] in predictable downs and third and longs, then you have more schematic versatility.”