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Defensive coordinator candidates who could improve Cowboys’ brutal secondary in 2026
Sunday was another frustrating game for Dallas Cowboys fans who had to watch the secondary miss one tackle after another against the New York Giants.
In addition to the poor angles and inability to wrap up, the defensive backs couldn’t consistently stop an aerial attack that was without their top two players. That sums up the season for the Dallas defense, which is why Matt Eberflus being relieved of his duties feels like a foregone conclusion.
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From there, the question turns to who will replace Eberflus. While there’s no shortage of options available, here’s a look at some of the top candidates if Dallas made fixing the secondary their primary goal.
Daniel Bullocks, DB Coach/Pass Game Specialist, San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers have one of the most impressive coaching trees. While Robert Saleh didn’t excel as a head coach, he returned to his role as defensive coordinator and continued to excel. They’ve also seen DeMeco Ryans do an extraordinary job in Houston as a head coach, with a staff loaded with former 49ers assistants.
That’s why looking at their staff is a wise move. One name to consider is Daniel Bullocks, who has been an assistant with San Francisco since 2017. He currently serves as the safeties coach and pass game specialist. While they haven’t been elite this year, his unit is usually among the best in the NFL.
Aubrey Pleasant, Assistant Head Coach/Pass Game Coordinator, Los Angeles Rams
Aubrey Pleasant has been a name to watch for years, even interviewing for multiple defensive coordinator vacancies. He’s been with the Los Angeles Rams since 2023, and was promoted to assistant head coach in 2024.
Cory Undlin, Pass Game Coordinator, Houston Texans
DeMeco Ryans was mentioned earlier as a great coach to come out of San Francisco. One assistant he brought along with him is Cory Undlin, who has been a pass game specialist for the 49ers (2021-2022) and now the Houston Texans (2023-present).
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Houston has a vicious defense led by hard-hitting safeties and physical cornerbacks. Undlin deserves credit for helping develop their young talent and could help Dallas get back on track in the secondary.
Al Harris, Pass Game Coordinator/DB Coach, Chicago Bears
Everyone who follows the Cowboys knows, and loves, Al Harris. He was part of Dan Quinn’s defensive staff and was credited for developing ballhawks such as Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland.
Harris left this offseason and while the Cowboys fell apart, the Chicago Bears began to generate turnovers at a high rate. We’ve seen enough to know Harris should have been kept.
Raheem Morris, Head Coach, Atlanta Falcons
Raheem Morris was fired after two seasons as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, but that doesn’t mean he’s a bad coach. Morris remains one of the more well-respected defensive minds in the NFL, even winning the Super Bowl in 2021 as the Rams’ defensive coordinator. That was his second Super Bowl ring, as Morris earned one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following the 2002 season. That year, he was a defensive quality control coach for Jon Gruden.
Morris excels at coaching defensive backs and brings extensive experience to the table. He may be exactly the kind of hire Jerry Jones would feel comfortable making, and one Cowboys fans could believe in.
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The Dallas Mavericks are searching for a new general manager/president of basketball operations after firing Nico Harrison in November. Team governor Patrick Dumont has set his sights high, looking for a premier target to take over the team. He was able to convince Hall of Famer Rick Welts to come out of retirement to be the CEO, and now he thinks he can do the same for this role.
The most commonly connected target has been Tim Connelly, the president of basketball operations of the Minnesota Timberwolves. He is still under contract, and he no longer has an out. However, according to the latest Stein Line, it is still possible he could be on the move.
“…While Connelly is said to no longer hold an opt-out provision in his current contract, belief persists in various league circles that there are scenarios that would render him ‘gettable’ once Minnesota’s 2025-26 season is complete.”
If he is attainable, it won’t be until after the Timberwolves’ playoff run ends. They’re currently up 3-1 on the Denver Nuggets, who Connelly previously helped build, but Anthony Edwards will be out for a few weeks with a bone bruise and hyperextension in his left knee, and Donte DiVincenzo tore his Achilles. Both of those injuries happened in Game 4, so even if they pull out the series, they may be overmatched in the next series.
What would make Connelly leave Minnesota, though? He’s built a team that has made two straight Western Conference Finals appearances. Considering the franchise had just one appearance in its existence prior to this run, it’s hard to ask for much more. Anthony Edwards is a young superstar, and he has a nearly perfect roster around him.
However, Cooper Flagg may just have that much draw to him. Even if the Mavericks don’t have a lot of valuable draft capital to help build the team around Flagg, a lot of executives would love the opportunity to build a team around him.
How Should Mavericks Fans Feel if Tim Connelly is the Choice?
Tim Connelly has made some risky trades in his time running the Timberwolves, sending out a massive haul to bring in Rudy Gobert, and also making the controversial Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo trade right before last season started.
You can’t deny his ability to build championship contenders, though. The Mavericks were a championship contender before the Luka Doncic trade, even beating Connelly’s Timberwolves to get to the NBA Finals, but they need a new rebuild around Cooper Flagg. With a lottery pick to pair with him this offseason, they have to make every decision correctly.
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