Cowboys' Top DC Targets as Dan Quinn Reportedly Signs Commanders HC Contract

With Dan Quinn reportedly expected to be named the new head coach of the Washington Commanders, the Dallas Cowboys will soon have a defensive coordinator vacancy to fill.

According to Adam Schefter, the Commanders decided Thursday to name Quinn their next head coach, ending his three-year tenure as the Cowboys' DC.

It isn't yet clear how wide of a net the Cowboys will cast in their defensive coordinator search, but there are several potential candidates who head coach Mike McCarthy and owner Jerry Jones may at least consider.

Here is a closer look at each of the early candidates for the Cowboys' DC position and why they may be a good fit in Dallas.

Joe Whitt Jr.

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BEREA, OH - MAY 30, 2019: Pass game coordinator/secondary coach Joe Whitt of the Cleveland Browns on the field during an OTA practice on May 30, 2019 at the Cleveland Browns training facility in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by: 2019 Diamond Images via Getty Images)

Joe Whitt Jr. has deep ties to Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, as he joined the Green Bay Packers' staff in 2008, two years after McCarthy was hired as head coach.

From then until McCarthy's departure in 2018, Whitt remained with the Packers as a defensive quality control coach, cornerbacks coach and defensive passing game coordinator.

The 45-year-old rejoined McCarthy in Dallas in 2021 as the secondary coach and defensive passing game coordinator.

According to Reid Hanson of Cowboys Wire, Whitt has been Quinn's second in command and is the "odds-on favorite" to succeed him among internal candidates.

Whitt has never been a defensive coordinator in his career, but his familiarity with McCarthy and the defensive system would make promoting him a natural move.

Al Harris

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TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 16: Dallas Cowboys defensive backs coach Al Harris stands on the field against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 16, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

Like Whitt, Al Harris' DC candidacy is likely helped by his experience working alongside McCarthy.

Harris was an NFL cornerback fro 14 seasons, and he played under McCarthy from 2006 through 2009 with the Green Bay Packers, earning two Pro Bowl selections during that time.

McCarthy hired the 49-year-old as his defensive backs coach when he became head coach of the Cowboys on the heels of Harris spending six seasons as the Kansas City Chiefs' assistant secondary coach/defensive assistant.

Harris has worked wonders with the Cowboys' cornerbacks during his time with the team, and he helped Trevon Diggs lead the NFL in interceptions in 2021 with 11, which earned him first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors.

Also, DaRon Bland led the league with nine interceptions this season and set a single-season NFL record with five pick sixes, resulting in a Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro selection.

Schefter theorized that Quinn could bring Harris to Washington with him and potentially make him the DC, but the easiest way for the Cowboys to keep him would be to promote him to their own DC job.

Aden Durde

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ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 20: Jeff Ulbrich, Aden Durde, and head coach Dan Quinn of the Atlanta Falcons in action during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Aden Durde has been the Cowboys' defensive line coach since 2021, and he is quickly becoming a hot defensive coordinator candidate.

According to Sam Robinson of Pro Football Rumors, the Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams all requested to interview Durde for their DC openings.

It was also noted by Schefter that Quinn could possibly bring Durde with him to be the Commanders' new defensive coordinator, as he worked with Quinn while he was head coach of the Atlanta Falcons as well.

Durde deserves some credit for coaching up Micah Parsons, who has often been used as a down lineman off the edge despite entering the NFL as a linebacker.

Parsons was a Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro in each of his first two NFL seasons, and he was named to the Pro Bowl again this season after registering a career-high 14 sacks,

Ron Rivera

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LANDOVER, MARYLAND - JANUARY 07: Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera walks the field before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at FedExField on January 07, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Quinn is replacing Ron Rivera as head coach of the Commanders, so it would be somewhat fitting for Rivera to replace Quinn as Cowboys DC.

Rivera has been an NFL head coach for the past 13 seasons, going 76-63-1 with one Super Bowl appearance in nine seasons with the Carolina Panthers, and 26-40-1 with one playoff appearance in four seasons with the Commanders.

It was unclear if the 62-year-old would want to be a defensive coordinator again, which is a role he held with the Chicago Bears from 2004 to 2006 and San Diego Chargers from 2008 to 2010, but he took an interview with the Philadelphia Eagles after he was fired by Washington.

The Eagles went with Vic Fangio as their DC, meaning Rivera is still available and could be an option for Dallas.

Rivera has had success as a defensive coordinator, is familiar with the NFC East and would fill the void left by Quinn as a top assistant with extensive head coaching experience.

Wink Martindale

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 24: Don Wink Martindale on field before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

In terms of available coaches with a track record of success as a defensive coordinator, it can be argued that no one measures up to Wink Martindale.

The 60-year-old has seven years of DC experience to his credit with the Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens and New York Giants, and he won a Super Bowl with the Ravens as their linebackers coach.

While Martindale parted ways with the Giants this offseason to pursue other opportunities, it wasn't necessarily due to a lack of success.

After coaching up a defense that helped New York shockingly reach the playoffs in 2022, the team ranked only 27th in total defense and 26th in scoring defense this season, but it was also first in the NFL in takeaways with 31.

Previously, with the Ravens from 2018 through 2020, Baltimore ranked seventh or better in total defense and third or better in scoring defense in three straight seasons.

While Martindale has no clear link to McCarthy or the Cowboys, he could be the best outside candidate still without a job.