The Dallas Cowboys coaching staff is starting to fill out under rookie defensive coordinator Christian Parker.
Parker reportedly added Ryan Smith as the Cowboys defensive backs coach, according to CBS Sports.
Smith was the Arizona Cardinals cornerbacks coach for the past three seasons. Arizona finished the season 24th in the NFL in pass defense in 2025 (230.8) and was 29th in the league in points-allowed per game (28.7).
Still, Dallas ranked 32nd in both pass defense (251.5) and points against (30.1) under previous defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. Eberflus was fired by the Cowboys after just one season Jan. 4.
Ryan Smith Will Coach Under New Defensive Coordinator Christian Parker
Smith is young, but that will fit the Cowboys coaching staff under 52-year-old Brian Schottenheimer and the 34-year-old Parker.
Smith, 32, has been in coaching since he graduated from William & Mary in 2013. He played for William & Mary from 2009-12 as a defensive back.
Before joining the Cardinals he spent time coaching defense at Penn State, Elon University, the University of Texas-San Antonio, James Madison, Virginia Tech and Northwestern.
In three seasons, the Cardinals pass defense finished in the top half of the league’s ranking twice in Smith’s tenure under Jonathan Gannon, who was fired as head coach earlier this month. In 2023, the Cardinals were 13th in NFL in pass defense then ranked 14th in the league in passing-yards allowed per game in 2024.
According to Smith’s bio, Arizona’s defense was fourth in the league over the final 11 games by allowing 19.6 points per game in 2024.
The Cowboys Need Ryan Smith, Christian Parker To Help Their Shoddy Pass Defense
The Cowboys pass defense was, of course, in shambles in 2025.
So hiring a defensive coach from a 3-14 team that allowed 488 points may not inspire much confidence. This is especially the case with Dallas’ annual lofty expectations and the fact they are just two years removed from ranking fifth in the league in points per game, under Washington Commanders head coach and former Cowboys DC Dan Quinn.
There were multiple factors that led to the Cowboys pass defense falling off, though the Micah Parsons trade to the Green Bay Packers in August is had the largest impact per public perception. But Dallas had injuries, notably the DaRon Bland, plus it released two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Trevon Diggs late in the year.
Dallas allowed 275-plus net passing yards in six of its 17 games and was tied for 31st in the NFL in interceptions (6) with the Tennessee Titans and San Francisco 49ers. Those factors contributed to Eberflus being let go.
Despite his tenure at smaller, less-heralded schools, Smith did have experience pro-caliber talent before he went to Arizona. His bio touts Smith’s work with former Tennessee Titans first-round pick Caleb Farley at Virginia Tech, as well as cornerback Cam Mitchell at Northwestern.
But the hope is that Parker, who joined the Cowboys after serving as the Philadelphia Eagles passing-game coordinator for two years, will also have a hand in coaching up the DBs. Plus, Cowboys fans surely hope Dallas will address the roster deficiencies in their secondary.
Cowboys Add Former Cardinals Cornerback Coach After Hiring Christian Parker as New DC