Derrick Ansley and Ryan Smith Officially Join Team
In a significant move for their defensive strategy, the Dallas Cowboys have officially hired Derrick Ansley and Ryan Smith. Ansley will serve as the defensive backs coach and defensive pass game coordinator, while Smith takes on the role of secondary coach.
Derrick Ansley and Ryan Smith Join the Coaching Staff
The Cowboys’ new defensive coordinator, Christian Parker, is shaping his staff with these strategic appointments. Ansley, formerly with the Green Bay Packers, signed his deal on Saturday after interviewing with the Cowboys earlier in the week. Likewise, Smith, previously the cornerbacks coach for the Arizona Cardinals, finalized his agreement with the Cowboys on the same day.
Coaching Experience and Backgrounds
Both coaches bring extensive experience from both collegiate and professional levels:
- Derrick Ansley has worked in the SEC, coaching at Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee, where he was the defensive coordinator from 2019 to 2020.
- He has also served as a graduate assistant under Nick Saban at Alabama.
- Ryan Smith was the safeties coach under Curt Cignetti at Indiana and has a strong background in player development.
Ansley’s NFL journey includes a season as the defensive backs coach for the Oakland Raiders and later for the Los Angeles Chargers. In his recent role with the Packers, he oversaw a unit that ranked 13th and 11th in passing yards allowed over two seasons. During 2024, Green Bay led the NFL with 17 interceptions.
Goals and Future Prospects
Under Ansley and Smith, Dallas aims to revamp its secondary, which struggled last season by allowing the highest passing yards in the league. Both coaches will collaborate closely with Parker, who has a background centered around the secondary.
As the Cowboys continue to build their defensive staff, key positions including a linebackers coach and a defensive line coach remain unfilled. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how these changes will impact the team’s performance moving forward.
For the latest updates on the Cowboys’ coaching staff, stay tuned to El-Balad.
