Dallas requested defensive coordinator interviews with Jim Leonhard, Darontè Jones, Ephraim Banda, and checked on Jeff Ulbrich before Atlanta blocked it.
Breaking down what each could bring to the Dallas’ defense.
Dallas Didn’t Just Scroll, They Reached Out
This is the part that grabbed me. The Cowboys aren’t sitting back waiting for the perfect hire to fall into their lap; they have sent requests.
The Cowboys front office and Brian Schottenheimer want to talk ball, scheme, philosophy, and personnel.
The Cowboys are being proactive for a change and not reactive. Could this lead to something good?
Jim Leonhard—The Broncos Young Defensive Guru
Leonhard has been working in Denver as their defensive passing game coordinator.
He is a former NFL safety who is smart, detailed, and a scheme-driven coach.
If a team like the Broncos trusts you with the passing side of their defense, you’re not some experimental hire, you’re someone they actually leaned on to solve real problems.
I believe that matters to a Cowboys’ defense that was one of the worst in the league.
Darontè Jones—Vikings Experience that Fits Today’s League
Jones is doing similar pass game coordinator work in Minnesota.
I found he was another former safety who grew up on the backend of the defense and in Minnesota, they play a version of defense that asks defensive backs to think, communicate, and execute.
You want a coach who can build a secondary that survives nearly 450 pass attempts in a season? That background works and would work for the Cowboys.
Ephraim Banda—Cleveland’s Safeties Coach Who Has Attitude
Banda is coaching safeties for the Browns and I like his demeanor, teaching profile, and the energy he brings.
Cleveland has built defenses that look well coached, physical, and structured. If you can teach safeties how to erase mistakes and cut off explosive plays, you can shape one of the most important pieces of a defense.
That is what the Cowboys need after the poor safety play we’ve seen.
Jeff Ulbrich a Swing and a Miss
I have to hit on this too, because it says a lot about where the Dallas brass heads are right now.
Before the Falcons owner denied the request, the Cowboys asked about Jeff Ulbrich, Atlanta’s defensive coordinator who is still under contract.
The Falcons blocking the interview request burned up X, but what I took from it was Dallas is finally targeting coaches who teams don’t want to lose.
That’s not just kicking the tires, it’s swinging for the fences to get some change on the defensive side of the ball.
What Ties All These Names Together
Safety backgrounds, with a pass defense emphasis.
These are coaches working in buildings that value coverage disguise, communication, and discipline.
I don’t think it’s complicated to see what Dallas is trying to do. They want coaches who understand the league’s biggest problem: stopping the ball from flying over heads.
The Process Is Different
I like the process the Cowboys are showing in the defensive coordinator search.
Dallas is trying to get the right defensive minds in the room, guys who are actively shaping coverage concepts right now.
There doesn’t seem to be much panic, no ownership meltdowns.
I have optimism that this hire might finally look like the defensive coordinator the fans deserve to see coaching on the sidelines.
Maybe if they get this right, the defense will be good enough to help the offense out next season.
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