The Dallas Cowboys, led by new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, are adding coaches to their staff. Even if Mike McCarthy will still be the head coach in 2024, the coaching staff will be very different.
Dan Quinn, the former defensive coordinator, joined the Washington Commanders as head coach, which led to many of these adjustments. Greg Ellis, a former Pro Bowl pass rusher, is returning to the Cowboys to serve as the team’s assistant defensive line coach.
Nick Harris of DallasCowboys.com wrote on February 16, 2024 on X, “The Cowboys are hiring former first-round pick Greg Ellis as an assistant defensive line coach, the team can confirm.” “After holding head coaching positions at SAGU and Texas College, Ellis will now get his first NFL opportunity with the team where he started his NFL career in 1998.” Dallas also brought in Jeff Zgonina, the defensive line coach for the Commanders. On the Cowboys coaching staff, the seasoned coach will play the same job. Zgonina, like Ellis, is a former player who played for the Rams, Dolphins, Steelers, Panthers, Falcons, Texans, and Colts, among other organisations. Zgonia played for the Rams, who won the Super Bowl in 1999.
Paul Guenther was also signed by Dallas to oversee the defence run game. Longtime NFL coach Guenther coordinated defences for the Cincinnati Bengals and Las Vegas Raiders. The coach has previously worked with Zimmer in Minnesota and Cincinnati.
In a message posted on X on February 16, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News provided details about the hiring of Paul Guenther as the defense’s run game coordinator by the Cowboys, citing a person familiar with the decision. “This is a significant move that DC Mike Zimmer has long desired, as it provides him with a highly skilled assistant in whom he has great faith.” Guenther was formerly a DC with the Bengals and Raiders.
Ellis’ background as a long-time Cowboys starter makes his hire all the more noteworthy. Ellis was chosen by Dallas as the eighth overall choice in the 1998 NFL Draft.
Ellis played for the Cowboys for 11 of his 12 NFL seasons, starting every game when he was in Big D. In 2007, the former defensive end recorded three forced fumbles, 12.5 sacks, and 11 quarterback hits—all career highs. The pass rusher Ellis only received one Pro Bowl selection because of his performance in the 2007 campaign.
Guenther’s addition might not seem like much, but it represents a small change for Dallas. Guenther’s primary focus will be on stopping Zimmer’s run game, which hasn’t been the Cowboys’ strongest suit in recent years. Joe Whitt Jr. was the pass game coordinator under Quinn’s prior employment arrangement.
“I said on @TalkinCowboys this week that Mike Zimmer’s staff would benefit so much more from having a run game or pass rush specialist instead of a pass game coordinator (the position Joe Whitt Jr. vacated),” Harris said on X. “The group took that concept and gave Paul Guenther a job today.”
