Cowboys Interview ESPN Analyst for Defensive Coordinator Job

ARLINGTON— A former NFL head coach has interviewed for the Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator position.

Former New York Jets and Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan has interviewed with the Dallas Cowboys about their recently vacated defensive coordinator position. New Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn had held down the position in Dallas the last few years.

Ryan led the New York Jets deep in the playoffs and was their leading man from 2009 until 2014 and then coached the Bills until 2016. Ryan has been out of coaching since and has held a job at ESPN.

One thing Ryan will have with the Cowboys is some talent as All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons and cornerbacks Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland. While Quinn was the defensive coordinator, the Cowboys had an opportunistic defense that had a lot of takeaways and was solid all around.

The Ryan name isn’t new to the Cowboys as Rex’s brother, Rob, was the defensive coordinator for the Cowboys from 2011-2012. Also, Rex and Rob’s father, Buddy Ryan, was the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles from 1986-1990.

The Cowboys have also interviewed former Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, who was actually with the Cowboys from 1994-2006. Also, it has been reported the Cowboys have contacted Wink Martindale’s agent about a possible interview and internal candidates like Al Harris and Aden Durde.