It's hard not to be bullish about the Dallas Cowboys' defensive future under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker. The former Eagles assistant is putting together a staff that can only be described as refreshing and exciting.
Parker has interviewed close to 20 candidates, per ESPN's Todd Archer, and only two have previous ties to the first-time DC.
Thus far, Parker has hired the Cardinals' Ryan Smith (cornerbacks coach), the Packers' Derrick Ansley (passing game coordinator), and the Vikings' Marcus Dixon (defensive line coach). The process has moved deliberately, but that's because Parker isn't leaving any stone unturned, and his latest hire is perhaps the strongest reflection of that approach.
According to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, the Cowboys have now hired Georgia assistant Chidera Uzo-Diribe as their outside linebackers coach. Zenitz described Uzo-Diribe, who had coached under Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart since 2022, as a "rising star" in the college landscape.
The #Cowboys are expected to hire Georgia’s Chidera Uzo-Diribe as outside linebackers coach, sources tell @CBSSports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) February 3, 2026
Uzo-Diribe, who has been considered a top rising star in the college coaching space, had worked under Kirby Smart at Georgia since 2022. Now headed to Dallas. pic.twitter.com/MXBT8sjvze
Cowboys DC Christian Parker hires Georgia's Chidera Uzo-Diribe as OLB coach
Most of Parker's assistants admittedly don't have big profiles or proven resumes, but that doesn't mean they are bad hires. Quite the opposite, actually. The 34-year-old has actually gotten rave reviews for his staff overhaul, and Uzo-Diribe fits right in.
Nick Harris of the Fort Worth-Star-Telegram did some digging and found that Uzo-Diribe developed a reputation as a "pass rush specialist" at Georgia who seemed "destined" to land a defensive coordinator job in the future.
That opportunity may still be ahead of him, but for now, he’ll focus on reviving a Cowboys pass rush that was largely held in check last season.
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A former defensive end at Colorado, Uzo-Diribe coached at Kansas, TCU, and SMU before helping lead Georgia to a national championship in 2022. Even casual college football fans are aware that the Dawgs' defensive line has been among the most feared units in the nation for years, with Uzo-Diribe playing a vital role every step of the way.
Uzo-Diribe had big shoes to fill in Athens after Kirby Smart tabbed him to replace defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach Dan Lanning, who left in 2021 to become Oregon’s head coach.
He filled them admirably, helping mold Nolan Smith, Mykell Williams, and Jalon Walker into high draft picks and turning three-star prospect Quintavius Johnson into a starter.
Already hailing from the Vic Fangio coaching tree, Parker’s new staff features ties to Brian Flores, Curt Cignetti, Nick Saban, and now Kirby Smart, with Uzo-Diribe coming from what many consider college football’s gold standard for player development.
He may end up being Parker’s best hire yet.