Frisco, Texas — New changes to the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff in 2024 as Dan Quinn steps down as defensive coordinator to become head coach of the Washington Commanders, joining other coaching departures in Dallas. It was done in advance.
Those moves include former passing game coordinator and assistant defensive line coach Joe Whitt Jr. and Sharif Floyd leaving to join Quinn in the Capitals, respectively. This was compounded by former defensive line coach Aden Durde accepting a job as defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks.
This meant all sorts of changes for the Cowboys' coaching staff, including a well-deserved promotion for Al Harris, who was moved into the assistant head coaching role alongside Mike McCarthy. In addition to the promotion, he has retained the other duties that have made him one of the Cowboys' most respected assistants. league.
Harris, an All-Pro and Pro Bowl cornerback for McCarthy with the Green Bay Packers, joined his former coach as the Cowboys' defensive backs coach in 2020.
“Al has been a very influential member of our coaching staff and team,” McCarthy said in a public statement. “We look forward to his leadership in this expanded role. He is an extremely effective leader and motivator, and our entire team will benefit from him taking this high step.” Al's dedication, teamwork, understanding of the game, and experience in developing a unique game are all the dynamics needed to support a championship locker room, making him a good fit for this. It's part of.”
Harris is elated by the opportunity to grow within the organization and as a coach in the NFL.
“I'm grateful to Coach McCarthy and the Cowboys for entrusting me with the responsibility of assisting their championship-minded head coach,” Harris said. “We have a strong and talented group capable of achieving our goals, and I intend to dedicate my time, energy and expertise to help this team succeed by contributing in any way I can. We are grateful for the opportunity to continue what we started in 2020. ”
Here's a complete look at how things have changed within the staff.
- Steve Shimko – Offensive Assistant/Quality Control
- Mike Zimmer – Defensive Coordinator
- Paul Gunter – Def. Running Game Coordinator
- Jeff Zgonina – Defensive Line
- Greg Ellis – Defensive Line Assistant/Quality Control
- Cristian Garcia – Assistant Defensive Back/Quality Control
New faces like Ellis and Zimmer aren't exactly new, with the former spending time as a Cowboys player and the latter once serving as an assistant coach for many years before becoming defensive coordinator and returning to his previous role with the team.
Guenther followed Zimmer into the 2021 season with the Vikings and was key in helping lure former All-Pro linebacker Eric Kendricks from the San Francisco 49ers in 2024 free agency.
And in a slight twist of reality, the Cowboys were able to poach two of the coaches at the helm: Zgonina and Garcia. They left Washington for Dallas and Zimmer's defensive unit.
Finally, Harris isn't the only one taking on a new role, wide receivers coach Robert Prince has also accepted a promotion to take on additional duties as the team's passing game coordinator.
A big picture of everyone's roles going forward:
Cowboys 2024 assistant coaching staff
- Brian Schottenheimer – Offensive Coordinator
- Chase Haslett – Pass Game Specialist
- Jeff Blasko – Run Game Coordinator/RB
- Mike Solari – Offensive Line
- Scott Tolzien – Quarterback
- Lunda Wells – Tight End
- Ramon Chignon – Offensive Line Assistant/Quality Control
- Ryan Feder – Assistant QB/Game Management/
- Evan Harrington – Offensive Assistant/Minority Fellowship
- Robert Prince – Pass Game Coordinator/Wide Receiver
- Steve Shimko – Offensive Assistant/Quality Control
- Al Harris – Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Backs
- Mike Zimmer – Defensive Coordinator
- Paul Guenther – Defensive Run Game Coordinator
- Cannon Matthews – Safety Equipment
- Jeff Zgonina – Defensive Line
- Greg Ellis – Defensive Line Assistant/Quality Control
- Cristian Garcia – Assistant Defensive Back/Quality Control
- Scott McCarley – Linebackers
- Darian Thompson – Assistant Linebacker/Quality Control
- John Fassel – Special Teams Coordinator
- Rayna Stewart – Special Teams Assistant
- Eric Simonelli – Quality Control/Assistant Head Coach
strength and conditioning:
- Harold Nash – Strength and Conditioning Coordinator
- Cedric Smith – Strength and Conditioning Assistant
- Kendall Smith – Strength and Conditioning Assistant
- Braylon Tatum – Marcus Paul S&C Intern
With McCarthy's staff finalized, the Cowboys are motivated for next season and now it's time to take on the challenge of finally overcoming a nearly 30-year championship drought.
