Ansley brings a broad NFL and college background, including stints at Alabama as a grad assistant, coaching roles at Tennessee and Kentucky, a brief spell as Raiders DB coach in 2019, and serving as Chargers defensive coordinator in 2023. Most recently, he worked as the Packers’ passing game coordinator, giving Dallas a coordinator-level perspective on their secondary and pass defense.
Smith is described as a young, up-and-coming defensive assistant with college coaching experience at James Madison, Northwestern, and Virginia Tech. He most recently served as the Arizona Cardinals’ cornerbacks coach and will assume a similar responsibility with the Cowboys as their secondary coach.
The moves come after a challenging 2025 season for Dallas’s defense under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer, who hired Matt Eberflus as defensive coordinator. The Cowboys ranked near the bottom in several categories, including 30th in total defense, 32nd in passing defense and scoring defense, 32nd in EPA per play allowed, and 24th in sacks, with injuries and declining play in the secondary contributing to the struggles.
The staff overhaul aims to maximize input from Parker and rebuild the unit for 2026. While the path to elite defense is narrow, the Cowboys’ defense will be judged on how effectively Parker and his new assistants elevate play, particularly in the pass defense and overall takeaways, as they pursue a stronger NFC East challenge.
Dallas’s offense showed positives in 2025, headlined by Dak Prescott’s rejuvenated form and standout performances from trade acquisition George Pickens, along with Schottenheimer’s first-season work. With the defensive rearrangement in place, Dallas remains hopeful about reclaiming a top spot in the NFC East in 2026.
