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Christian Parker’s walking into quite a situation with the Dallas Cowboys. The new defensive coordinator inherits a unit that gave up 30.1 points per game last season – dead last in the NFL. The Cowboys also finished 30th in yards allowed at 377 per game.
Dallas needs help at every defensive position. Free agency and the draft will be critical for a franchise that’s missed the playoffs two straight years.
“Yeah, I don’t think we want to put any expectations on it in that regard,” Parker said Wednesday at his introductory press conference. “I think we just want to kind of take it day by day and do it the right way. So we’re kind of just taking that approach. We’ll get our head out of the sand at some point, but right now we got tunnel vision on doing things the right way.”
Parker’s just 34 years old — the youngest coordinator in Cowboys history.
He’s been an NFL position coach since 2021. The past two seasons, he served as the Philadelphia Eagles’ passing game coordinator.
“I’m ready,” he said.
Learning From the Best
Despite his age, Parker’s worked under Vic Fangio with both the Eagles and Denver Broncos — one of the sharpest defensive minds in football. He broke into the NFL in 2019 with the Green Bay Packers as a quality control coach under Mike Pettine.
The diversity in scheme he’s been exposed to has shaped his approach. Parker said he’s spent years developing his own identity by taking what works from different systems.
“I think confidence comes from preparation and I think that I’ve been able to learn from the right people,” Parker said. “So I think when you’ve been involved with different people along my journey that I’ve learned under as head coaches and defensive coordinators, No. 1, and then the diversity in scheme that I’ve been involved with, you kind of become accustomed to what you’re comfortable with and your own ideas. You like certain things, you don’t like certain things. What will work, what won’t work.”
He continued: “I think as you kind of get involved with different people you kind of form your own identity, so when you have that opportunity, you know what you’re going to do, and I’ve gone through that process internally for a great deal of my career. So I’ve prepared as much as I possibly can for this moment.”
Schottenheimer’s Conviction
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer interviewed nine candidates for the coordinator job and conducted more than 40 interviews for the entire defensive staff. After a virtual meeting with Parker followed by an in-person sit-down, he was sold.
“The way he carries himself, he’s wise beyond his years,” Schottenheimer said. “I mean this, he’s convicted and I did tell him I was a coordinator at 32 years old. He’s 34, so he’s been slacking — a little disappointing I had to beat him by two years. I say that in jest because, like, he’s been preparing for this for the last four or five years.”
Schottenheimer praised Fangio’s influence on Parker but emphasized that Parker’s developed his own philosophy. He’s not just copying what he learned in Philadelphia or Denver.
“I think we hit a home run with this guy,” Schottenheimer added.
Return to the 3-4
Parker confirmed the Cowboys will use a 3-4 base defense — something Dallas hasn’t run since 2012. But he stressed the structure will feature multiple looks and formations.
The defensive line gives him something to work with. That group includes Quinnen Williams (a Pro Bowl selection acquired from the New York Jets), Kenny Clark (who came over from the Packers in the Micah Parsons trade), and Osa Odighizuwa, who signed an $80 million contract last year.
Jadeveon Clowney led the Cowboys in sacks last season but he’s set to become a free agent next month.
Parker also mentioned cornerback DaRon Bland’s playmaking ability and the potential of Shavon Revel — last year’s third-round pick who missed the first nine games recovering from a torn ACL.
Dallas holds two first-round picks in the upcoming draft at Nos. 12 and 20. The last time the Cowboys had two top-20 selections in the same draft, they took DeMarcus Ware and Marcus Spears in 2005 — picks that helped transform their shift to a 3-4 under Bill Parcells.
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones hasn’t promised Parker he’ll use both first-rounders on defense. But Parker said he’d definitely be pushing for it.
Building Around the Players
One of the biggest complaints about last season’s defense? It didn’t play to the strengths of the roster. Parker said his scheme will be built around what the players do best — not forcing them into roles that don’t fit.
“Of course, you want to have your core principles and foundational beliefs, but as you kind of move forward in the process, what do your guys do well? How can you put players in highlighted positions, create one-on-ones for certain guys? How can you protect certain guys?” Parker said.
He wants versatility. If the Cowboys can win by blitzing a running back, they’re going to blitz. If they’ve got good man-to-man corners, they’ll play man coverage. If zone works better, they’ll lean into zone.
“You want to build a package that has diversity in scheme, and you want to tailor it to the players you have,” Parker said. “Of course, you have schematic fits, but I think the really good players are the ones you can’t peg them into a certain scheme, and that’s the only way they can play football. You want to have guys that whatever scheme they are in, they can be significant contributors.”
