It’s fair for fans to be skeptical about the Dallas Cowboys’ next defensive coordinator hire, but with plenty of outside candidates already in the mix, there’s little reason to worry that Jerry Jones will promote from within.
The Cowboys have defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton in the mix, which isn’t surprising given that he was on the field while Matt Eberflus moved to the press box for the final three games. He’s the type of in-house option fans would expect Jones to lean toward, but the encouraging part is that he’s far from the only candidate being considered.
Jonathan Gannon, Zach Orr, and Jim Leonhard were all mentioned well before Whitecotton entered the conversation. Christian Parker, the Eagles’ DBs coach, will also interview for the job. Whitecotton wouldn’t be a popular hire among fans, but the early focus on outside candidates suggests Jones understands that this hire requires a much bigger swing.
Cowboys fans shouldn't worry Aaron Whitecotton becoming the next DC
Whitecotton wasn’t particularly effective as a defensive line coach, either. Kenny Clark failed to take the kind of leap some expected after being acquired in the Micah Parsons trade, while Quinnen Williams’ impact felt more like a gift than a coaching accomplishment.
Whitecotton appears to be more of a procedural in-house candidate, whereas Jim Leonhard is helping oversee one of the NFL’s top defenses. Leonhard’s body of work is more than enough to justify him as Dallas’ next defensive coordinator, and highlights why promoting from within would be a difficult sell.
Brian Schottenheimer’s hiring didn’t move the needle with many Cowboys fans at first, but he did the best he could while saddled with one of the worst defenses in the NFL. No one blamed Schottenheimer for Jerry Jones’ flawed search, and over time, Schotty proved to be an effective play caller.
But this situation is different. The Cowboys are on the verge of hiring their fourth defensive coordinator in as many years. Jerry Jones needs to find a stabilizing presence for the organization.
It took less than 48 hours after the season ended for Dallas to fire Matt Eberflus. After one of the worst defensive seasons in franchise history, even Jerry Jones understood the urgency of looking outside the building to avoid repeating the same mistake.
The Joneses' extensive search should show that Whitecotton's chances of becoming the new DC are low. Not zero, but very slim.