DALLAS COWBOYS HIRE DERRICK ANSLEY AS DEFENSIVE PASS GAME COORDINATOR, FORMER PACKERS COACH JOINS TEAM

In a significant move to bolster their defense, the Dallas Cowboys have hired Derrick Ansley as their Defensive Pass Game Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach (DBs coach). This hire, confirmed across multiple sources including DallasCowboys.com, ESPN, and NFL insiders, adds another key piece to the revamped defensive staff under Christian Parker, the Cowboys’ new defensive coordinator.

Ansley, who previously served as the Defensive Pass Game Coordinator with the Green Bay Packers from 2024-2025, brings a wealth of experience to the role. His addition is part of an ongoing effort to rebuild the Cowboys’ defense, following a disappointing 2025 season where the team finished with a 7-9-1 record and missed the playoffs.

DERRICK ANSLEY’S COACHING BACKGROUND AND WHY HE FITS WITH DALLAS

Derrick Ansley has a diverse and accomplished coaching career, making him a highly regarded addition to the Cowboys staff. Before his stint with the Packers, Ansley was the Defensive Coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023 and served as the Defensive Coordinator at the University of Tennessee from 2019-2020. He has also worked with the Las Vegas Raiders and the Alabama Crimson Tide in various defensive roles, including coaching the secondary.

Ansley’s experience is particularly valuable to Dallas as they aim to strengthen their pass defense, a critical area of improvement after struggling through the 2025 season. The Cowboys’ defense has been inconsistent, and Ansley’s ability to improve defensive takeaways and develop a strong secondary could be the key to revitalizing a unit that needs to be more aggressive and efficient in coverage.

REBUILDING DALLAS’ DEFENSIVE STAFF: A FRESH APPROACH

The Cowboys’ defensive overhaul comes after parting ways with former defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus following just one season. With the hire of Christian Parker as the new defensive coordinator—who previously served as the pass game coordinator/secondary coach for the Philadelphia Eagles—Dallas is hoping to establish more consistency and direction in their defensive approach.

This staff turnover is seen as part of an aggressive push to address the team’s struggles on defense, particularly in the passing game. The Cowboys are looking to rebuild their secondary with hires like Ansley and Ryan Smith, who comes from the Arizona Cardinals as the new secondary coach. These moves indicate that Dallas is focusing on bolstering its pass defense heading into the 2026 NFL season, but there are still concerns about run defense and the front-seven talent, which will need further attention.

FAN REACTIONS AND EXPECTATIONS FOR THE 2026 SEASON

Fans and analysts are generally excited about Ansley’s track record with takeaways and improving secondary play during his time with the Packers. However, many also note that the Cowboys’ defense needs more than just a strong secondary—they also need to reinforce their ability to stop the run and strengthen their front-seven. While Ansley is expected to have a significant impact on the passing defense, Dallas will likely need to make additional moves through the 2026 NFL Draft and free agency to fully address the defensive issues that plagued them in 2025.

This hire, alongside the continued finalization of Parker’s staff, signals a commitment by the Dallas Cowboys to drastically improve their defense. Ansley’s expertise in the pass game is seen as a major asset as Dallas aims to return to being one of the top defensive teams in the NFL.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE COWBOYS?

As the 2026 NFL Draft and free agency approach, Dallas will continue to reshape their defense under Christian Parker and Derrick Ansley. The Cowboys’ defensive strategy will likely be a key talking point heading into the new season, and with significant coaching changes already made, the team is positioning itself to make a strong defensive comeback in 2026. Official announcements and further details about the coaching staff and offseason moves are expected soon, and fans will be eagerly watching to see how these changes impact the team’s performance.