Cowboys Interview Request Denied by NFC Rival in Surprise Move

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Coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams talks with interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich of the New York Jets after the game at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2024.

The Dallas Cowboys have their first batch of defensive coordinator candidates ready to be interviewed, with three names–passing game coordinator Jim Leonhard of the Broncos, Vikings passing game coordinator Daronte Jones and Browns safeties coach Ephraim Banda–lined up. But it turns out, the Cowboys wanted that first list to be four.

Instead, the Falcons declined to allow the Cowboys to interview defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, whose future is in limbo after the firing of Atlanta head coach Raheem Morris this week. Ulbrich had been with the Falcons as a defensive assistant from 2015-2020 before going to the Jets for four seasons. He was New York’s interim head coach after Robert Saleh’s firing.

Ulbrich returned to Atlanta for the 2025 season, and could be a candidate to replace Morris, or to hold his current job. But most likely, the Falcons will turn elsewhere for a new coach and that coach will bring in his own defensive coordinator, leaving Ulbrich in the cold. The Cowboys will have made their choice by the time that process played out.

Cowboys Could Circle Back to Jeff Ulbrich

If the Cowboys delay the hiring of a defensive coordinator long enough, Ulbrich could be available. But for now, here’s what ESPN’s Todd Archer wrote on the matter on Twitter/X:

“The Cowboys were denied by Atlanta to talk with Jeff Ulbrich for DC job, according to sources. He remains under contract w/ the Falcons despite their search for a head coach. A potential interview can be revisited later if they hire a HC, who has a different coordinator in mind.”

Cowboys Seeking ‘A Great Teacher’

The Cowboys have been open about what they want from their next DC, and head-coaching experience was not a requirement. Ulbrich has some, but that’s not important–whether he can teach and develop is important.

“We wanna find someone who’s a great teacher and a great communicator … who’s passionate about football, and who can take complicated information and [have the ability] to communicate it,” Schottenheimer said.

“That’s the starting point for me.”

Defensive Coordinator Could be a Worthwhile Job

The Cowboys’ defensive coordinator position might, on the surface, scare off some coaches who see that the team is looking for their fourth DC in four years. But it should be an attractive job because, for one thing, the offense is humming and looks ready for a big season in 2026.

For another thing, the Cowboys punched out on Micah Parsons, collected valuable assets to replace him–first-round picks this year and next from the Packers.

The trade for defensive lineman Quinnen Williams was a good start. But the Cowboys may have more deals coming.

“We’re definitely going to take advantage of these two No. 1s, don’t think we couldn’t do some trading here with those two No. 1s,” owner Jerry Jones said. “All of the value that you get out of having these extra picks and having some flexibility, under the camp, we’re gonna take advantage of it. We obviously don’t have the mentality that we are dealing with a bad hand at all.

“I think we had some real success in free agency this year, so that’s a good one, that’s a good place to start.

Sean Deveney is a veteran sports reporter covering the NBA, NFL and MLB for Heavy.com. He has written for Heavy since 2019 and has more than two decades of experience covering the NBA, including 17 years as the lead NBA reporter for the Sporting News. Deveney is the author of 7 nonfiction books, including “Fun City,” “Before Wrigley became Wrigley,” and “Facing Michael Jordan.” More about Sean Deveney