The Dallas Cowboys have hired Christian Parker as their defensive coordinator, making him the youngest in franchise history.

Parker, 34, takes over a unit that struggled last season and becomes one of the NFL’s youngest Black coordinators in a lead defensive role. The team finalized the hire on Jan. 22. 

A former wide receiver at the University of Richmond, Parker began his coaching career, working as a defensive assistant at Virginia State University and later Norfolk State. He went on to build experience at Notre Dame and Texas A&M before moving to the NFL with the Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos and Philadelphia Eagles. 

Parker is known for his work with defensive backs. In Denver, he helped develop Patrick Surtain II into an All-Pro cornerback. Most recently, Parker served as passing game coordinator for an Eagles defense that won Super Bowl LIX. Philadelphia ranked among the league’s best against the pass during his tenure, including allowing the fewest passing yards in 2024 and the fewest passing touchdowns in 2025. 

Dallas turns to Parker after a difficult season on defense. The Cowboys allowed a league-high 511 points in 2025, leading to the dismissal of Matt Eberflus after one year. The secondary also surrendered an NFL-high 35 passing touchdowns. 

Parker inherits a rebuilding task in Dallas, with an immediate focus on stabilizing the secondary and improving overall defensive performance as the Cowboys look to rebound next season.