The Cowboys' new defensive coordinator, Mike Zimmer, has brought the longtime assistant to a senior role focused on handling the defense's biggest responsibilities.
The Cowboys hired Paul Guenther as run game coordinator on Friday after Zimmer's enthusiastic recommendation, a person familiar with the decision said. dallas morning news. Gunther is an important addition to the staff as an experienced coach with whom Zimmer has tremendous history and confidence.
Guenther and Zimmer worked together in Cincinnati from 2008 to 2013 and again in Minnesota in 2021. Guenther was the defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2014 to 2017 and the Raiders from 2018 to 2020.
Zimmer envisioned having Guenther accompany him in Dallas before agreeing to terms on Monday.
The two officially reunite once again.
This will be the first time the Cowboys have named a run game coordinator during Mike McCarthy's tenure. The importance of this area was illustrated after the Green Bay Packers ran at will against an undersized front in the first round of the playoffs on January 14th. Running back Aaron Jones had 21 carries for 118 yards and three touchdowns.
Coaching is part of the solution.
Personnel is next important, as the team is targeting more size and athleticism, including at linebacker. This is a guideline for reinforcement numbers when free agency is released in March.
Dallas also added Jeff Zgonina as its new defensive line coach, with Greg Ellis set to be finalized as Zgonina's assistant, a person familiar with the situation said. news. Zgonina replaces Aden Daade, who was hired as the Seattle Seahawks' defensive coordinator last week after serving in the same role with the Washington Commanders for the past two seasons.
Ellis is a familiar face.
He played defensive end for the Cowboys from 1998 to 2008, all but the last two seasons overlapping with Zimmer's staff. Ellis also played for the Oakland Raiders until his retirement in 2009. This is his first coaching opportunity in the NFL. Zgonina played defensive tackle in the league from 1993 to 2009.
The two have played 407 regular-season and postseason games in the NFL over 29 years on the Cowboys' defensive line staff.
