Cowboys bring Pettine out of retirement to support Parker’s defense

Brian Schottenheimer said Friday that Christian Parker will call Dallas’ defense from the sideline against Green Bay, with Mike Pettine working from the coaches’ booth. Pettine will report directly to Schottenheimer and serve as a sounding board for Parker.

The head coach described the arrangement on 105.3 The Fan. Jon Machota reported the confirmed game-day locations, while Josh Alper’s NBC Sports report detailed the reporting structure. Pettine has spent his first days reviewing film, and Schottenheimer expects much of his practice work to remain there.

Thursday’s update: October 15

Christian Parker said Thursday that he will most likely continue calling Dallas’ defense from the sideline against Green Bay on Sunday night, although the decision is not final. That updates the plan Jerry Jones described Tuesday, when the owner said Parker would move to the coaches’ booth.

Todd Archer and Jon Machota reported Parker’s Thursday comments. Archer also reported that Mike Pettine will serve as a sounding board during the week and on game day. Parker will continue to call the defense.

Earlier reporting: October 12–13

On Tuesday, owner and general manager Jerry Jones said on 105.3 The Fan that Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker would move from the sidelines to the coaches’ booth to call the defense.

Jones said Pettine’s role would focus on the scheme rather than coaching individual positions. The team’s announcement identifies Parker as the defensive play caller; it does not describe Pettine taking over those duties.

The Cowboys added Mike Pettine as a senior defensive assistant Monday, bringing an experienced coordinator out of retirement to support Christian Parker in his first season running Dallas’ defense.

Brian Schottenheimer said Pettine’s role will support Parker’s leadership. The two defensive coaches previously worked together in Green Bay, and Schottenheimer said the Cowboys had discussed adding a veteran voice when Parker was hired.

Pettine was expected to arrive Tuesday. His return gives Parker another coach familiar with the defensive system and with the demands of coordinating an NFL unit.

The announcement followed Dallas’ 24–16 loss to Tampa Bay on Thursday. The previously winless Buccaneers gained 419 yards while starting undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels in place of Baker Mayfield, according to Associated Press reporting published by NBC 5 DFW. Dallas fell to 2–3 ahead of Sunday’s visit to Green Bay.

Schottenheimer said the hire would have happened regardless of the Tampa Bay result. He and Parker had approached Pettine earlier in the year, but Pettine initially chose to remain retired. The opening was filled when he decided he wanted to return to coaching.

Parker continues to lead the unit, with Pettine joining in an assistant role. Schottenheimer described him as a trusted colleague of both coaches and said familiarity should help him contribute quickly.

Pettine, 60, spent the past four seasons on Minnesota’s defensive staff. His earlier coordinator stops included the Jets, Bills and Packers, and he was Cleveland’s head coach in 2014 and 2015. His time directing Green Bay’s defense overlapped with Parker’s work there.

Schottenheimer also has a history with Pettine from their years coordinating opposite sides of the ball for the Jets. The Cowboys’ official announcement emphasized that shared experience and Pettine’s understanding of the 3–4 defensive family.

For Dallas, the immediate task remains preparing the defense for Green Bay. Schottenheimer has added an experienced coach who already knows the coordinator and the system.

Sources

Mike Pettine joins as senior defensive assistant · AP/NBC 5 DFW: Pettine hire follows Cowboys’ defensive struggles

Tommy Yarrish, DallasCowboys.com: Parker to call defense from coaches’ booth

Sources for the Thursday update

Todd Archer: Parker likely to remain on sideline · NBC Sports: Parker most likely coaching from sideline