Movement in the Cowboys' defensive coordinator search. Two top targets are sidelined by NFL playoff schedules and team decisions.
FRISCO - It ain’t over ‘til it’s over. So multiple “top candidates” for the defensive coordinator vacancy of the Dallas Cowboys could in theory still land here.
But in the case of Jim Leonhard and Jeff Ulbrich?
There is movement.
The Cowboys put in a request to speak to Atlanta coordinator Jeff Ulbrich recently but the Falcons denied that ask.
And why?
Atlanta owner Arthur Blank wanted to keep Ulbrich in place so he could recommend him to whomever the team hires as the next head coach.
And now it seems that former Browns coach Kevin Stefanski - involved in a second round of interviews with the Falcons - might have the inside track on the job.
As ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler noted, “Stefanski has done research on potentially working with … Ulbrich in Atlanta, per sources. Owner Arthur Blank would like to keep Ulbrich, who would be a top coordinator candidate on the market if available.”
Does Ulbrich qualify as a “top candidate” in the eyes of the Cowboys?
We may never know.
As Dallas seeks to replace fired coach Matt Eberflus, nine candidates have been interviewed once. That list …
* Broncos assistant and passing game coordinator Jim Leonhard.
* Minnesota Vikings pass game coordinator Daronte Jones.
* Cleveland Browns safeties coach Ephraim Banda.
* Ex-Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon.
* Current Cowboys defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton.
* Former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr.
* Philadelphia Eagles defensive backs coach and pass-game coordinator Christian Parker.
* Giants interim defensive coordinator Charlie Bullen.
* Green Bay Packers defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington.
From that group, we know that head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s search has called for second interviews with Jones and Parker (this weekend) and Gannon (on Tuesday).
And what about Leonhard? We know he is definitely a “top candidate” for the job.
But ….
The Broncos won in OT over Buffalo on Saturday in the a playoff thriller. So by rule, he’s locked in with Denver for the AFC title game and the Cowboys are not able to have an in-person interview with until the Broncos lose (next weekend) or during the bye week before the Super Bowl.
I assume they’ll wait.
In the end, Dallas has been true to its word regarding this search.
“We want to cast a very wide net,” said Schottenheimer going into this process. “I want to talk to a lot of people. It’s an important decision, and it’s an important decision we’re going to get right …”
They very well might do so - even with the process not including all of the “ top candidates.”