In the 2023 NFL regular season, the Dallas Cowboys were widely regarded as one of the top football teams in the league. They excelled on both offense, led by Dak Prescott, and defense, with Micah Parsons making significant contributions. Despite securing the second seed in the NFC and being considered a strong contender for the Super Bowl, the Cowboys disappointingly faltered in the postseason. The Green Bay Packers, led by promising young quarterback Jordan Love, dominated them in the first round of the playoffs, abruptly ending Dallas’ season. This unexpected outcome has led to speculation about potential changes in the coaching staff.
While many believed that head coach Mike McCarthy was in danger of losing his job, it was actually defensive coordinator Dan Quinn who decided to leave the team. Quinn opted to become the head coach of the division-rival Washington Commanders. This departure leaves a significant void at the defensive coordinator position for the Cowboys. As a result, team owner Jerry Jones and his associates are actively searching for a suitable replacement. Former head coaches Ron Rivera and Mike Zimmer have been interviewed for the position this week, according to reports from ProFootballTalk.
Both Rivera and Zimmer have extensive experience in the NFL and would be valuable additions to McCarthy’s coaching staff. Their expertise would be particularly beneficial given the talented defensive players on the Cowboys’ roster. It remains to be seen which coach the Cowboys will ultimately choose as Quinn’s successor in Dallas.