FRISCO, Texas — A day after parting ways with defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus after only one season, Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer was asked specifically what he would be looking for in the team’s next defensive coordinator.
“A teacher,” he responded on Jan. 8. “What we ask our players to do in all three phases is complicated. We want guys that can say complicated information in a simple manner. And if I say something to you that you don’t understand, I need the ability to say it in a different way, the same message but say it a different way because how you learn might be different than how (someone else) learns. I think that’s the starting point for me.”
Judging by the news conference Wednesday at The Star, it sounds like the Cowboys have found themselves a teacher in first-time defensive coordinator Christian Parker.
The 34-year-old former Philadelphia Eagles defensive passing-game coordinator and defensive backs coach was asked what he thinks makes a good teacher.
“I think you have to know the student first and foremost,” he responded. “You have to know who you’re talking to. What might hit one player’s brain is going to hit different than another. So being thorough, being detailed, being very clear and concise in terms of your messaging and when to correct, when not to correct. Sometimes players got to touch the stove. You just want to do it in a controlled environment. Just how to do that, the diversity of teaching, whether it’s on the field, in the meeting room, Kahoot! quizzes, physical quizzes, showing them video examples, having them teach in front of the room. There’s so many different ways to kind of get in the weeds of teaching scheme, technique, situational awareness.
“Really, you just want to expose players to as many different examples because it’s going to hit everybody differently in terms of how they’re able to learn that.”
To some, finding a quality teacher to run an NFL defense might not top the list. But for a Dallas defense that was disorganized far too often last season, allowing a franchise-record 511 points, a quality teacher is important.
Parker was the Denver Broncos’ defensive backs coach (2021-2023) before joining the Eagles. He began his NFL coaching career as a defensive quality control assistant for the Green Bay Packers in 2019. Despite not having any defensive coordinator experience, Parker was also a candidate to be the Packers’ next defensive coordinator.
Wednesday was the first opportunity to really learn about what the Cowboys are getting in their new DC. From the beginning of the 40-minute question-and-answer session, it wasn’t difficult to understand how Parker impressed Schottenheimer and the entire Cowboys front office during the interview process. He spoke with great confidence and showcased why Schottenheimer believes he’s “wise beyond his years.”
Parker explained how his top two core beliefs are stopping the run and affecting the quarterback.
“Sometimes, affecting the quarterback comes through pressure, sometimes it comes through disguise, sometimes it comes through the talent you’re able to have and the ability to play and play-style,” he said. “If you can stop the run, you can get teams into predictable downs in second- and third-and-longs, and then you have more scheme versatility. When you have teams in third-and-2s and third-and-3s, usually those aren’t the defenses that are as successful. But if you can win first down and you’re strong on fundamentals, we’re getting off blocks, we’re tackling, we’re attacking the football, we’re situationally aware, those are the ones that are successful.”
Parker didn’t show much of his hand in regards to personnel. Dallas clearly has a lot of work to do to improve its defensive talent. The Cowboys have two first-round picks. If they don’t trade out of either spot, it’s a good bet both will be spent on defense. But plenty of heavy lifting will need to be done before April’s draft with some key additions through veteran free agency and possibly trades. Outside of defensive tackle, Dallas needs immediate help at every other position.
Does Parker see it as a quick rebuild?
“I don’t think we want to put any expectations on it in that regard,” he said. “I think we just want to kind of take it day by day and do it the right way. So we’re kind of just taking that approach. We’ll get our head out of the sand at some point. But right now, we got tunnel vision on building things the right way.”
The Cowboys waited to make Parker available to reporters until his new staff was complete. It appears the key hires go as follows:
Defensive line: Marcus Dixon
Assistant defensive line: Demeitre Brim
Outside linebackers: Chidera Uzo-Diribe
Inside linebackers: Scott Symons
Passing game coordinator: Derrick Ansley
Cornerbacks: Ryan Smith
Assistant secondary: Robert Muschamp
Parker and the entire group are expected to be in Indianapolis next week for the NFL’s annual scouting combine.
“I think we hit a home run with this guy,” Schottenheimer said of Parker. “At the end of the day, man, if you can teach and motivate these guys and get them to know you care about them, these guys have shown they will run through a brick wall for you. And I think that’s what we’re going to get.”