Cowboys News: Dallas denies rival interview access with Al Harris, Lunda Well

Dan Quinn accepted the Washington Commander’s head coaching job a week ago.

The Cowboys have yet to fill his old role as defensive coordinator, but they are very well on the lookout.

Joe Whitt Jr. followed Quinn to Washington to become his man calling the defense, a guy Dallas had an interview scheduled for the same job, yet Dallas blocked an attempt for Quinn to bring in two other Cowboys coaches.

Joe Whitt Jr. was scheduled to interview Monday for the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator vacancy. Instead, he will follow Dan Quinn to Washington as the Commanders’ DC, a person familiar with his decision confirmed.

Cowboys seem intent on adding a DC with head coach experience.

— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) February 5, 2024

Access Denied

On Wednesday and Thursday, it was reported that Washington wanted to interview both the Cowboys’ tight end coach Lunda Wells, and defensive back coach Al Harris.

Wells for their offensive line position, and Harris for the same position he has with Dallas.

Harris is one of the most underrated coaches in football as of the last few years.

He has been a major reason for the production Dallas has gotten from Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland.

In addition to blocking Washington from interviewing TE coach Lunda Wells, the Cowboys denied the Commanders from speaking with DBs coach Al Harris, per a source.

— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) February 8, 2024

Even if the Cowboys let Washington interview Harris, it is hard to see him going elsewhere.

Harris has been the Cowboys’ defensive backs coach since 2020, which was the same year Mike McCarthy was named head coach.

The relationship between Harris and McCarthy goes back to his playing days.

McCarthy was the Green Bay Packers head coach from 2006 to 2018, and Harris played under him as a cornerback from 2006 to 2009.

Harris was a part of the Kansas City coaching staff from 2013 to 2018 and one year at Flordia Atlantic University before joining Dallas.

Rules of a Block

Rules are in place to prevent teams from blocking interviews for assistants in search of coordinator jobs.

Since both Harris and Wells were not being brought in to interview for a coordinator job, the Cowboys could block, which they did.

Wells joined the Cowboys in 2020 after two years as the Giants tight ends coach.

He was also the Giants assistant offensive line coach for five seasons.

Possible DC in Dallas?

The Cowboys are still looking for who will replace Quinn as the Cowboys defensive coordinator.

They have had a few interviews already, and more are on the way.

Mike Zimmer, Ron Rivera, Aden Durde, and Rex Ryan all got a chance to interview on Wednesday.

Sources confirm the Cowboys defensive coordinator search has now included an interview for former Jets coach Rex Ryan

— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) February 7, 2024

Yes, Rex Ryan, I was just as shocked as you when the news came out.

New York Jets safeties coach Marquand Manuel was interviewed on Thursday, but no announcement has been made as to who will be hired.

Whomever may get the job has enough talent to do some good things.

The new man calling plays will hopefully bring some old school ball with him to help stop the run.

No matter who takes the job, that should be the first order of bussiness when they get here. Find a way to stop the run.

Knowing Jerry Jones, he will make sure the hire is a “yes man.” This defense needs an identity, and coach who will bring that out in them.

Rivera would be my last choice of hire, while Mike Zimmer would probably be my first just by the names that are listed.

Ryan would be better than Rivera, but how much can he bring to them?