Inside The Star
Dallas requested defensive coordinator interviews with Jim Leonhard, Darontè Jones, Ephraim Banda, and checked on Jeff Ulbrich before Atlanta blocked it.
Breaking down what each could bring to the Dallas’ defense.
This is the part that grabbed me. The Cowboys aren’t sitting back waiting for the perfect hire to fall into their lap; they have sent requests.
The Cowboys have requested permission to speak with Minnesota defensive pass game coordinator Daronte Jones, Denver assistant HC/pass game coordinator Jim Leonhard and Browns safeties coach Ephraim Banda for their defensive coordinator vacancy, according to multiple sources.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) January 8, 2026
The Cowboys front office and Brian Schottenheimer want to talk ball, scheme, philosophy, and personnel.
The Cowboys are being proactive for a change and not reactive. Could this lead to something good?
Leonhard has been working in Denver as their defensive passing game coordinator.
He is a former NFL safety who is smart, detailed, and a scheme-driven coach.
If a team like the Broncos trusts you with the passing side of their defense, you’re not some experimental hire, you’re someone they actually leaned on to solve real problems.
I believe that matters to a Cowboys’ defense that was one of the worst in the league.
Jones is doing similar pass game coordinator work in Minnesota.
I found he was another former safety who grew up on the backend of the defense and in Minnesota, they play a version of defense that asks defensive backs to think, communicate, and execute.
You want a coach who can build a secondary that survives nearly 450 pass attempts in a season? That background works and would work for the Cowboys.
Banda is coaching safeties for the Browns and I like his demeanor, teaching profile, and the energy he brings.
Cleveland has built defenses that look well coached, physical, and structured. If you can teach safeties how to erase mistakes and cut off explosive plays, you can shape one of the most important pieces of a defense.
That is what the Cowboys need after the poor safety play we’ve seen.
I have to hit on this too, because it says a lot about where the Dallas brass heads are right now.
Before the Falcons owner denied the request, the Cowboys asked about Jeff Ulbrich, Atlanta’s defensive coordinator who is still under contract.
The Falcons blocking the interview request burned up X, but what I took from it was Dallas is finally targeting coaches who teams don’t want to lose.
Sources: The #Cowboys requested to interview #Falcons DC Jeff Ulbrich for their vacant DC job, but Atlanta denied the request.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank said today the team would recommend Ulbrich to remain as their...
