Frisco, Texas – During his first week on the job, Mike Zimmer wastes no time in assembling his staff.
On Friday, the Cowboys announced three new hires on defense, including a former first-round draft pick who played for Zimmer.
Greg Ellis is one of three assistants added to the staff along with Paul Guenther, the team's run game coordinator. Also, Jeff Zgonina is the Cowboys' defensive line coach.
Guenther has more than 20 years of experience in the NFL, including two different stints working with Zimmer in Cincinnati and Minnesota. When Zimmer became the Vikings' head coach in 2014, he was promoted from linebackers coach to defensive coordinator for the Bengals. Gunter also served as the Raiders' DC from 2018 to 2020.
Zgonina is a veteran coach who had a long career as a player, spanning 17 years from 1993 to 2009.
As a coach, he has served as an assistant or D-line head coach for four teams, most recently with Washington since 2020.
Ellis will serve as an assistant defensive line coach alongside Zgonina.
A first-round pick of the Cowboys in 1998, Ellis played 11 years with the Cowboys, the first nine on Zimmer's staff.
His coaching experience includes two head coaching stints at the University of Texas and Southwest Assemblies of God University (SAGU), both at the NAIA level.
Zimmer was officially named defensive coordinator on Wednesday. He replaces Dan Quinn, who left to become Washington's head coach. Former Cowboys defensive line coach Aden Durde is currently in Seattle as defensive coordinator.
Joe Witt Jr., the team's secondary/passing game coordinator, left with Quinn at the helm, as did assistant D-line coach Sharif Floyd.
