FRISCO, Texas — No time is being wasted by the Dallas Cowboys in revamping their defensive side of the ball. The team went on a thorough search for its new defensive coordinator immediately following the decision to part ways with Matt Eberflus, interviewing nine candidates before awarding former Philadelphia Eagles' pass game coordinator the role.
Less than a week later, the shakeup within the defensive staff has truly begun. The entrance of Parker led to defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton interviewing with the Tennessee Titans for the same role, access to Whitecotton permitted by the Cowboys — due to it being a lateral move.
Whitecotton has accepted the role, with an added designation as run game coordinator in Tennessee, per multiple reports, and the Cowboys confirm he is departing after just one season in North Texas; following his duties as a defensive coordinator at this year's East-West Shrine Bowl.
An Eberflus addition in 2025, Whitecotton helped grease the path for the addition of three-time Pro Bowl Kenny Clark and three-time Pro Bowler/First-team-All Pro Quinnen Williams.
In seeking a replacement for Whitecotton, and potentially others, Parker and the Cowboys were proactive in beginning the search prior to the departure, Marcus Dixon, the defensive line coach of the Minnesota Vikings whose contract expired this offseason, has been interviewed, as well as Ronell Williams, the latter having spent time with Parker as nickel cornerbacks coach and assistant linebackers coach in Philadelphia over the last two seasons, respectively.
Additionally, the Cowboys have opted to part ways with three defensive position coaches who, unlike Whitecotton, will be free agents: secondary/cornerbacks coach David Overstreet, defensive pass game coordinator Andre Curtis and linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi.
Like Whitecotton, each were added to the Cowboys' defensive coaching staff in 2025, serving in their roles for just one season, though that season failed to meet expectations and ultimately led to Dallas fielding what was statistically one of the worst defensive campaigns in the franchise's long and storied history.
All signs point to Parker instituting a full rebuild on the defensive side of the ball, and that means more changes will likely occur, including new hirings to satisfy what the young, talented defensive coordinator has planned for 2026 and beyond.
