Cowboys Add Pettine to Aid Struggling Defense
9 sourcesUpdated Oct 17, 20261 min read
The Dallas Cowboys hired Mike Pettine as senior defensive assistant ahead of Week 6 after a 2-3 start in which they allowed the second-most yards in the NFL. Pettine, 60, accepted after stepping away from coaching when Christian Parker called him on a three-week Italy vacation with his wife Megan. He told reporters Friday "I think I can help a lot," citing a four-inch-thick book of what not to do and learning from mistakes. Pettine said he feels like he is trying to sip water from a firehose catching up on film and will advise Parker, help game-plan, and offer booth suggestions. He hired Parker in Green Bay in 2019 and worked with Schottenheimer as Jets coordinators from 2009-2011. Jerry Jones said on 105.3 The Fan he planned to move Parker to the booth. Schottenheimer said he expected Parker to remain on the sideline with Pettine in the booth. How that split works is unresolved heading into Week 6.
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Bringing in an experienced guy like Pettine is a smart move for Dallas, but it still leaves Parker in charge on the sideline where the real adjustments happen.
Parker needs all the help he can get after these defensive lapses, and Pettine's booth role should add useful game planning without taking over.
