Charlie Bullen, outside linebackers coach for the New York Giants the past two seasons and interim defensive coordinator the final five games of the 2025 season, will not become defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys are set to name Philadelphia Eagles passing game coordinator Christian Parker as their new defensive coordinator, replacing the fired Matt Eberflus.
Bullen, an up-and-coming coach with ties to general manager Joe Schoen from their time together with the Miami Dolphins, is the only defensive assistant new head coach John Harbaugh is considering retaining from the Giants’ 2025 staff.
In further good news for Harbaugh and the Giants, three other candidates believed to be in consideration to become Harbaugh’s defensive coordinator in New York were bypassed by the Cowboys. Those are Minnesota Vikings’ defensive pass game coordinator Daronte Jones, Baltimore Ravens’ defensive coordinator Zach Orr, and Denver Broncos’ defensive pass game coordinator Jim Leonhard.
Jones is reportedly interviewing on Thursday with both the Giants and Green Bay Packers for their defensive coordinator positions.
Jones, 47, has never been an NFL defensive coordinator. He was defensive coordinator at Bowie State from 2005-2009 and at LSU in 2021. He interviewed for the Giants’ job that went to Shane Bowen in 2024.
Jones has been defensive backs coach with the Vikings since 2022, adding pass game coordinator to his title in 2023.
Brian Flores, regarded as one of the NFL’s most creative and aggressive defensive coordinators, has been Minnesota’s defensive coordinator since 2022.
Jones’ NFL resume includes stops with the Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals, and two stints with the Vikings. Jones has also coached in high school, at the Division II level, in the FCS, FBS, and in the Canadian Football League.
Leonhard, 43, played in the NFL from 2005-2014. He was defensive coordinator at Wisconsin from 2017-2022, and has been with the Broncos the past two seasons.
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