Jan. 23, 2026
Updated Jan. 24, 2026 at 12:16 p.m. CST
The Cowboys have their defensive coordinator, but the dominoes are still falling into place for their 2026 coaching staff.
Dallas is expected to interview Vikings defensive assistant Marcus Dixon, a person with knowledge of the process told The Dallas Morning News.
With current Cowboys defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton drawing interest from other teams across the league — most notably from the Titans as their defensive coordinator — it appears Dallas is preparing to find a replacement.
Dixon has served as the Vikings’ defensive line coach for the past two seasons, also working for the Broncos in the same role for two seasons prior. With Minnesota, he helped lead his group to an average of 93.5 rushing yards allowed per game, the second-lowest mark in the league in 2024. Even as the Vikings struggled and missed the playoffs in 2025, it wasn’t because of their defensive line — Dixon’s squad was ranked among the top 10 defensive fronts in the league according to Pro Football Focus.
Cowboys
Dixon spent three seasons in the NFL from 2010-12, but he was originally signed by the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2008.
Another potential defensive assistant has emerged as well, as Eagles assistant linebackers coach Ronell Williams will interview to join Christian Parker’s defensive staff, a person with direct knowledge told The News.
This is a photo of Ronell Williams of the Philadelphia Eagles NFL football team. This image reflects the Philadelphia Eagles active roster as of Monday, July 22, 2024.
The Associated Press / AP
Williams spent the 2019-22 seasons as a defensive quality control coach with the Bears before joining the Eagles’ coaching staff in 2023. He worked with Philadelphia’s nickel cornerbacks in 2023 before being named assistant linebackers/defensive quality control coach for the Eagles in the 2024 offseason.
Whitecotton, hired by Brian Schottenheimer before the start of last season, was an in-house candidate for the coordinator spot in Dallas before the Cowboys hired Christian Parker this week.
Cowboys assistants have been given permission to seek other jobs, and they can interview with Parker to remain with the staff. Some coaches are at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., getting ready for those practices next week.
McCarthy, at 62 years old, is set to take over in Pittsburgh after longtime coach Mike Tomlin stepped down.
Parker, a fast-rising star in the coaching ranks, is inheriting the worst defense in team history.
The Hall of Fame QB’s beer brand was on the menu at the fictional Patch Cafe in Taylor Sheridan’s hit show.
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