3 reasons to love Cowboys’ new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, including impressive All-Pro track record
The Dallas Cowboys are hiring Christian Parker as their next defensive coordinator. Here are three reasons why that’s great news.
The Dallas Cowboys have made their choice on who will be the next defensive coordinator: Christian Parker, pass game coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles.
According to multiple reports, the Cowboys are working to finalize a deal with Parker. He’s set to be the team’s fourth defensive coordinator in four years. And as someone who breaks the mold of the typical Cowboys defensive coordinator—since 2014, Dallas has had five DCs that were former head coaches—Dallas fans may know little about Parker, a soon-to-be first-time coordinator.
Well, I’ve got three things you should know about him, and they’re all reasons you should be excited about the hire.
1. All-Pro cornerback guru
Allow me to list three cornerbacks Parker has developed during his time coaching at the NFL level. As defensive backs coach for the Denver Broncos, he worked with Patrick Surtain II during his first three years in the league. By Year 2, Surtain II was a first-team All-Pro.
Parker found similar success in Philadelphia, where Eagles cornerbacks Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell earned first-team All-Pro honors in their second year in the NFL.
Expect the Cowboys to emphasize getting Parker talent to develop in the secondary, as it’s one of his areas of expertise and coincidentally, one of the biggest weaknesses in Dallas.
“I don’t think I’d be the player I am nor have the success that I’ve had without (Parker),” DeJean recently told reporters.
2. Vic Fangio’s DNA
Over the last two years, Parker has worked under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who is considered one of the top defensive masterminds in football. Fangio is a big proponent of quarters coverage to limit explosive plays and force opposing offenses to sustain long drives. He achieves this with a varied mix of coverages and plenty of communication between players.
Over the last couple of years, Parker’s access to Fangio’s knowledge only makes him a more promising coach.
3. Perfect fit for Brian Schottenheimer
At 34 years old, Parker is known for his energetic approach to practice, be it on the field or in the meeting room. You just know that’s what Schottenheimer wants after one year as Cowboys head coach. Earlier in January, he described his ideal DC as a great teacher, communicator, and energetic.
“Guys can’t get comfortable — nobody’s silent — they don’t know when they’re getting cold-called on,” Parker told Tyler Dunne from Go Long last year. “We keep the conversations rolling that way. Obviously, sometimes it’s just me talking, but I’m trying to bounce ideas off of guys to let them talk and express how they see things and how they feel about ‘em. It leads to the chemistry of the group.”
Parker and Schotty are guaranteed to get along.
Dallas Cowboys News
The Dallas Cowboys finally set to hire Christian Parker as new defensive coordinator, and he gives them exactly what they wanted
Christian Parker will be the Dallas Cowboys’ fourth defensive coordinator in as many years.
