Cowboys Rumors: Ron Rivera to Interview for DC Job After Commanders Firing

The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly set to interview former Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera for their defensive coordinator vacancy.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Rivera will be among the candidates vying for the position vacated by Dan Quinn. Ironically, Quinn left Dallas to replace Rivera in Washington.

Rivera, 62, has not been a coordinator since his run with the Chargers from 2008 to 2010. He parlayed that role into the Panthers' head-coaching position, spending nine seasons in Carolina before being fired in 2019. The Commanders hired him in 2020, and Rivera went 26-40-1 in four seasons.

Overall, Rivera is 102-103-2 as a head coach.

The Cowboys have ranked among the NFL's best defenses under Quinn, who spurned two straight head-coaching cycles in hopes of winning a Super Bowl. Quinn's final act was his worst moment in Dallas, as the Cowboys gave up 48 points in a walloping by the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round.

The Cowboys are also interviewing former Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer and their own defensive line coach, Aden Durde, for the position.

Head coach Mike McCarthy is heading into the final year of his contract and calls the offensive plays. Longtime NFL assistant Brian Schottenheimer serves as the offensive coordinator under McCarthy.

Given McCarthy's stranglehold on all things on the offensive side of the ball, it would make some sense that Dallas would have interest in a candidate with head-coaching experience on the defensive side. Zimmer and Rivera would be natural candidates if the Cowboys move on from McCarthy midway through the 2024 season.