Cowboys Hire Cardinals Cornerbacks Coach Ryan Smith

Smith will join new defensive coordinator Christian Parker's staff in Dallas.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 7:15pm

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The Dallas Cowboys are hiring Arizona Cardinals cornerbacks coach Ryan Smith to join new defensive coordinator Christian Parker's staff. Smith helped lead the Cardinals' passing defense to become one of the best in the NFL last season, and he has a track record of developing young cornerbacks like Garrett Williams.

Why it matters

The Cowboys are looking to revamp their defensive coaching staff after a disappointing season under former coordinator Matt Eberflus. Bringing in Smith, who has a strong reputation for coaching defensive backs, is an important early move as Parker looks to build out his staff and get the Cowboys' defense back on track.

The details

Smith spent the last three seasons as the Cardinals' cornerbacks coach, helping the team's passing defense become one of the league's best. Prior to that, he coached cornerbacks at Northwestern and safeties at James Madison. He also developed first-round pick Caleb Farley into a First-Team All-ACC talent during his time at Virginia Tech.

  • On January 31, 2026, the Cowboys announced they will hire Ryan Smith from the Cardinals to join new defensive coordinator Christian Parker's staff.

The players

Christian Parker

The new defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, hired to replace the short and disappointing reign of Matt Eberflus.

Ryan Smith

The former cornerbacks coach for the Arizona Cardinals, who is now joining Parker's staff in Dallas.

Garrett Williams

A promising young cornerback for the Cardinals who developed under Smith's coaching.

Caleb Farley

A first-round draft pick who developed into a First-Team All-ACC talent under Smith's coaching at Virginia Tech.

Matt Eberflus

The former defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, whose reign was short and disappointing, leading to his replacement by Christian Parker.

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What they’re saying

“Smith helped lead the Cardinals' passing defense to becoming one of the best in the NFL last season, building off the upswing from the back half of the 2024 season.”

— Patrik Walker, Author

“While Parker was helping to mold Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean into First-team All-Pro defensive backs last season, Smith was doing something not entirely dissimilar with former third-round pick Garrett Wiliams, developing him into one of the most promising young cornerbacks heading into 2026.”

— Patrik Walker, Author

What’s next

The Cowboys will continue to build out Parker's defensive coaching staff, with the next priorities being identifying a new defensive line coach and linebackers coach.

The takeaway

The Cowboys are making an important early move to revamp their defensive coaching staff by hiring Ryan Smith, a well-regarded cornerbacks coach, to join new coordinator Christian Parker. This signals the team's commitment to improving a defense that struggled last season under the previous coordinator.