The Cowboys have held talks about hiring defensive backs coach Al Harris as assistant head coach, a person familiar with the discussions said.
Harris' reputation within the organization has increased for his work with second-year cornerback Daron Brand, who led the NFL with nine interceptions last season and set a league record with five pick-sixes. ing.
Coach Harris, along with secondary coach Joe Whitt Jr., is credited with contributing to the play of fellow starting cornerback Trevon Diggs, who was ranked No. 11 in the NFL in 2021 draft picks.
Whitt left this offseason to become defensive coordinator for new Washington head coach Dan Quinn.
Harris, 49, had been interviewing with the Cowboys to replace Quinn. However, the job was given to Mike Zimmer.
Harris was hired in 2020 after spending one season as a defensive assistant at Florida Atlantic.
Harris served as the Chiefs' second coach from 2013 to 2018. During his 14-year NFL career as a cornerback, Harris spent four seasons with then-Packers coach Mike McCarthy.
“Here’s what I know,” Harris said of his coaching journey in 2021. “This is something that I am an expert at, so it was tough to retire as a player and start over in a different path with no knowledge. I am an expert at what I do, what I teach. I approach this work with an awareness of this.”
Harris became a coaching intern at Miami in 2012.
Twitter/X: @Calvin Watkins
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