4 defensive coordinators Cowboys must hire after losing Dan Quinn

3. Aubrey Pleasant, Rams DBs coach/passing game coordinator

When looking for a new coach, it makes sense to poach from a winning team. That's why so many teams were interviewing just about anyone who ever came in contact with Sean McVay after the Los Angeles Rams started to take the league by storm.

Trying to find the next McVay might no longer be a fad but the fact remains that his staff has a lot of talented coaches. That's how they were able to shake off a 3-6 start and go 7-2 after their bye week. They not only made it to the playoffs but nearly upset the Detroit Lions on the road.

Their work this season has McVay's staff once again getting noticed as Raheem Morris was just hired by the Atlanta Falcons to be the head coach — oddly enough, it's his second stint in Atlanta which ended with him serving as the interim to replace Dan Quinn. Morris spent the past three years coaching the Rams defense and thos past season worked with Aubrey Pleasant.

Pleasant was hired to coach defensive backs and coordinate the passing game. It was his second stint with the Rams as he was the cornerbacks coach from 2017 through 2020. He spent time with the Lions and Packers before coming back to L.A. where he was credited with keeping a young and inexperienced secondary competetive all year.

Another reason to appreciate Pleasant is his versatility. He currently serves as a defensive coach but worked on the offensive side of the ball for the Packers as well as Washington early in his career. His thorough understanding of how both sides of the ball work only makes him a better candidate to be a defensive coordinator.