{"id":509352,"date":"2026-01-11T21:32:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-11T21:32:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/509352\/"},"modified":"2026-01-11T21:32:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T21:32:11","slug":"cowboys-plan-more-defensive-coordinator-interviews-for-week-2-of-search","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/509352\/","title":{"rendered":"Cowboys plan more defensive coordinator interviews for Week 2 of search"},"content":{"rendered":"<p id=\"inline-text-0\" class=\"mt-[18px] md:mt-0 mb-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6c\">The<a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/onsi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Dallas Cowboys<\/a>&#8216; search for a new defensive coordinator is in full swing, with three interviews conducted over the past few days. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-1\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6f\">Dallas has interviewed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/vikings\/onsi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Minnesota Vikings<\/a>\u00a0defensive pass game coordinator Daronte Jones, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/browns\/onsi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cleveland Browns<\/a>\u00a0safeties coach Ephraim Banda, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/broncos\/onsi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Denver Broncos<\/a>\u00a0defensive pass game coordinator<a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/onsi\/news\/viral-video-identifies-perfect-dallas-cowboys-defensive-coordinator-candidate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a0Jim Leonhard<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-2\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6i\">The Cowboys<a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/onsi\/news\/dallas-cowboys-defensive-coordinator-search-unexpected-pushback\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a0requested to interview Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich\u00a0<\/a>for the vacancy, but were denied by Atlanta, which is searching for a new head coach after firing another potential Dallas candidate, Raheem Morris.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-3\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6l\"><strong>MORE: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/onsi\/draft\/new-dallas-cowboys-2026-nfl-mock-draft-double-dips-linebacker\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>New Cowboys mock draft double-dips with two impact linebackers<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-4\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6o\">This week, the team plans to continue its search, with all eyes on Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who is one of the high-profile names that has been linked to the team. Of course, Flores is also under consideration for head coaching gigs, and would likely prefer a promotion over a lateral move. <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/01keqd4b6yff6tj2x5m7.jpg\" alt=\"Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game \" title=\"Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game \" width=\"3003\" height=\"3003\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"6x\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game  | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-6\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"71\">&#8220;After the Cowboys conducted three interviews for their vacant DC spot, the organization has<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/calvinwatkins\/status\/2010432847665070167?s=20\" target=\"_blank\"> plans to interview more people next week<\/a>,&#8221; Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News wrote. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-7\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"74\">&#8220;Jim Leonhard spoke to club officials on Saturday. He was the last of the initial 3 candidates to have an interview.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-8\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"77\"><strong>MORE: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/onsi\/draft\/dallas-cowboys-full-list-2026-nfl-draft-picks-securing-two-top-20-selections\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Cowboys&#8217; full list of 2026 NFL draft picks after securing two top-20 selections<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-9\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7a\">Flores interviewed for head coaching vacancies last week, and will be free to interview for defensive coordinator openings this week, beginning on Wednesday. Let&#8217;s hope Flores is one of the names the team brings in for a talk. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-10\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7d\">Whoever takes over in Dallas will have a difficult task at hand. The Cowboys ranked No. 30 in the league in total defense, allowing 377 total yards per game, including what is, unfortunately, a league-high 60 touchdowns. Dallas also ranked last in the NFL in passing defense, at No. 32, allowing 251.5 yards per game and 35 passing touchdowns, the second-highest total behind the New York Jets, who failed to record an interception in 2025.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_0,h_0\/c_fill,w_16,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/ImagnImages\/mmsport\/cowboys_country\/01keqdd209a1fj11h6k8.jpg\" alt=\"Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus looks on during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&amp;T Stadium. \" title=\"Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus looks on during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&amp;T Stadium. \" width=\"0\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"7m\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus looks on during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&amp;T Stadium.  | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/newsletter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Sign up for the Cowboys Daily Digest newsletter <\/strong><\/a><strong>for more free coverage from<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong> Dallas Cowboys on SI<\/strong><\/a><strong> \u2014<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-13\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7t\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/onsi\/news\/top-3-dallas-cowboys-on-chopping-block-2026-nfl-offseason\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Top 3 Dallas Cowboys on the chopping block entering 2026 NFL offseason<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-14\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7w\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/onsi\/news\/dallas-cowboys-2026-offseason-schedule-full-list-important-dates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Dallas Cowboys&#8217; 2026 offseason schedule: Full list of important dates<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-15\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7z\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/onsi\/draft\/3-dream-dallas-cowboys-prospects-2026-nfl-draft\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>3 dream Dallas Cowboys prospects for 2026 NFL Draft<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-16\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"82\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/onsi\/news\/cowboys-set-up-first-3-interviews-with-defensive-coordinator-candidates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Cowboys set up first 3 interviews with defensive coordinator candidates<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-17\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"85\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/onsi\/news\/dallas-cowboys-were-mess-2025-still-dominated-nfl-tv-ratings\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Cowboys were a mess in 2025 but still dominated NFL TV ratings<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-18\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"88\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/onsi\/news\/kaydianna-garza-dallas-cowboys-cheerleader-netflix-photos-bio\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Meet KayDianna Garza: Star of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Netflix doc<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Dallas Cowboys&#8216; search for a new defensive coordinator is in full swing, with three interviews conducted over&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":509353,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5135],"tags":[5229,1596,358,3187,67,586,132,5230,68,2969],"class_list":{"0":"post-509352","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-dallas","8":"tag-america","9":"tag-dallas","10":"tag-texas","11":"tag-tx","12":"tag-united-states","13":"tag-united-states-of-america","14":"tag-unitedstates","15":"tag-unitedstatesofamerica","16":"tag-us","17":"tag-usa"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115878608747059879","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/509352","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=509352"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/509352\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/509353"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=509352"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=509352"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=509352"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}