FRISCO, Texas – The Cowboys are expected to hire SMU defensive coordinator Scott Symons as their inside linebackers coach.
For the last four years, Symons has served as SMU's DC and safeties coach. In the last three seasons, he was a nominee for the Broyles Award, given each year to the nation's top collegiate assistant coach. In 2024, he helped SMU reach their first College Football Playoff in school history.
This past season, Symons helped SMU's defense to finishing fifth in the nation in turnovers gained, fifth in red zone defense, eight in passes intercepted, 19th in rushing defense and 23rd in sacks.
Prior to joining the staff at SMU, Symons was the defensive coordinator at Liberty from 2019-2021. In 2018, he was the linebackers coach at Memphis ahead of taking his first FBS level DC job.
After finishing his playing days as a linebacker at Lindenwood University, Symons began his coaching career at St. Dominic HS in Missouri coaching WRs and LBs. He'd go on to spend the next four seasons at Harding, beginning as a graduate assistant and then being promoted to CBs coach, and later co-DC and recruiting coordinator.
After a stop at Arkansas State as a defensive QC coach, Symons took his first collegiate DC job at the DII level with Arkansas Tech in 2013. A year later, he took over at DIII West Georgia for four season from 2014-2017 before making the jump to Memphis.
Nearly two decades after beginning his coaching career at the high school level, Symons now takes his first NFL coaching job with the Cowboys.
Symons' hire is the sixth external addition to Dallas' staff since the team hired Christian Parker are their new defensive coordinator. To keep up with the latest as the full defensive staff comes into focus, keep an eye on our 2026 Cowboys Coaching Tracker.
