Jerry Jones expresses confidence in Christian Parker

Published October 9, 2026 12:57 AM Dan Quinn left as the Cowboys’ defense coordinator after the 2023 season to become the Commanders’ head coach. Mike Zimmer and Matt Eberflus each lasted one season after Quinn’s departure.The Cowboys ranked 31st in points and 28th in yards in 2024 under Zimmer and 32nd in points and 30th in yards in 2025 under Eberflus.They hired Christian Parker, the Eagles’ passing game coordinator and secondary coach, as their defensive coordinator to fix what was broken. The Cowboys, though, entered Thursday night ranked 30th in total defense, including 31st against the run, and 28th in points allowed.The Cowboys allowed 419 yards, including 241 rushing yards, in a 24-16 loss to the previous winless Bucs who were starting an undrafted rookie quarterback. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones conceded it was a missed opportunity.“That’s a question that I think we all, if you’re a Cowboy fan, realize that patience really may not be the proper term here. . . . I like a lot about what we’ve got. We missed a chance here to improve, and we didn’t improve.” That prompted questions about Parker’s job security.“Premature,” Jones said.Jones said he still has confidence in Parker.“I do. Yes, I do,” Jones said. “He’s sitting there taking it on the shoulders, which goes with the territory, but I feel that he’s competent, and the things that he’s trying to do, I’m going to say it one more time: The thing that probably bothers me the most tonight is how they ran between the tackles so to speak and we’re able to have that running game up in there, where we have a lot of strength. That’s something that we’ve got to really look at and will.”Cowboys defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator Derrick Ansley is the only assistant on staff who has previously served as a defensive coordinator. Ansley was the Chargers’ defensive coordinator in 2023.Thus, the Cowboys likely will ride with Parker until at least the end of the season.