Georgia 'Rising Star' Coach Chidera Uzo-Diribe Joins Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have hired the Bulldogs' outside linebackers coach, a highly touted young defensive mind.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 7:15pm

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The Dallas Cowboys are expected to hire Georgia Bulldogs outside linebackers coach Chidera Uzo-Diribe, who has been labeled a 'rising star' in the coaching industry. Uzo-Diribe, a young defensive coach, won a championship with the Bulldogs in 2022 and was previously named to the 247Sports 30-Under-30 coaching list during his time with the Kansas Jayhawks.

Why it matters

Retaining top coaching talent is an ongoing challenge for successful college football programs like Georgia, as their assistants often get hired away by NFL teams. Uzo-Diribe's move to the Cowboys represents a loss for the Bulldogs but also highlights his growing reputation as an up-and-coming defensive mind in the sport.

The details

Uzo-Diribe played college football at Colorado and had a brief stint with the New Orleans Saints before starting his coaching career. He worked as a graduate assistant in Boulder, then made stops at Kansas, SMU, and TCU before landing the outside linebackers job at Georgia, where he helped the Bulldogs win a national championship in 2022. In Dallas, Uzo-Diribe will join a defensive staff led by new coordinator Christian Parker, who previously coached defensive backs for the Philadelphia Eagles.

  • Uzo-Diribe won a championship with the Bulldogs in 2022.
  • He was named to the 247Sports 30-Under-30 coaching list during his time with the Kansas Jayhawks.

The players

Chidera Uzo-Diribe

The Georgia Bulldogs' outside linebackers coach, who has been labeled a 'rising star' in the coaching industry.

Kirby Smart

The head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs, who has faced the challenge of retaining top coaching talent on his staff.

Christian Parker

The new defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, who previously coached defensive backs for the Philadelphia Eagles.

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The takeaway

This move highlights the ongoing challenge for successful college football programs like Georgia to retain their top coaching talent, as assistants with rising reputations are often lured away by opportunities in the NFL. Uzo-Diribe's hiring by the Cowboys represents a loss for the Bulldogs but also demonstrates his growing status as an up-and-coming defensive mind in the sport.