Cowboys Add Mike Pettine to Support Defensive Coordinator

The Dallas Cowboys have added veteran coach Mike Pettine to their defensive staff as a senior defensive assistant, seeking experienced support for coordinator Christian Parker after a difficult opening to the 2026 NFL season. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer announced the appointment on Monday, October 12, following the team's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football.

Pettine, 60, brings experience as a defensive coordinator with the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers, along with a previous head coaching stint with the Cleveland Browns. According to the Cowboys' official announcement, his primary responsibility will be supporting Parker while providing additional defensive expertise to the coaching staff.

The appointment comes after Dallas struggled defensively through the opening five games of the season, despite making significant changes to its defensive personnel. Sports Illustrated reported that Pettine's familiarity with Parker and his experience managing an NFL defense were important factors in the decision.

Schottenheimer said he had previously worked with Pettine during their time with the Jets and described the appointment as a move designed to strengthen the existing coaching structure. Pettine and Parker also worked together in Green Bay, where Parker served as a defensive quality control coach during the 2019 and 2020 seasons under Pettine's leadership as defensive coordinator.

"Had a chance to work with Pettine for a number of years, along with the Jets, and he's gonna be here in a role to support everything that [Christian Parker] is leading and guiding, and we are really, really excited," Schottenheimer said on Monday.

The Cowboys considered other candidates before settling on Pettine, according to Schottenheimer. His experience with the defensive system and familiarity with several Dallas players also helped make him a suitable addition, particularly as Parker enters his first season as an NFL defensive coordinator.

Schottenheimer explained that the team wanted an experienced coach who could provide practical guidance rather than making an appointment simply to add another person to the staff.

"We actually had two names, but I'm not gonna tell you anything about [who else] we talked to in the beginning. But, you know, those did not work out for different reasons. So we weren't gonna just add someone that didn't make sense.

I think Pet's experience, not only in football, but as experience in this system, of what we do, is understanding of the 3-4 family. He has the awareness of some of our players — Kenny Clark, Rashawn Gary — he was a coordinator when C.P. was there, so I think it's just a great fit. And he's a guy that certainly brings a bunch of experience to the entire staff, myself included," Schottenheimer said.

Pettine began his NFL coaching career with the Baltimore Ravens in 2002 as a coaching assistant. He became assistant defensive line coach in 2004 and outside linebackers coach in 2005 before moving into defensive coordinator positions with the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills and Packers.

He also led the Cleveland Browns as head coach and later worked as a consultant with the Seattle Seahawks. In 2021, Pettine served as a senior defensive assistant with the Chicago Bears before joining the Minnesota Vikings, where he worked as assistant head coach and outside linebackers coach from 2022 through 2025 alongside defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

Schottenheimer said Pettine was enthusiastic about returning to coaching after stepping away from football following the previous season. He was expected to report to the Cowboys the following morning, bringing experience that could benefit both Parker and the wider coaching staff.

"He's excited about it," Schottenheimer said. "I think he got his vacation out of the way, if you will. He just got back from Italy, and they're having grandbabies and things like that, but he should be in first thing tomorrow. He's an excellent football coach that is going to help us under the leadership of Christian Parker, and also has value for the entire staff."

The head coach also emphasized the value of having a veteran available to discuss defensive decisions and the responsibilities associated with coordinating an NFL unit.

"It is important it to have that sounding board of a veteran guy that has coached for a long time, been a coordinator, and understands all the machinations that they have to go through," Schottenheimer said.