Joe Whitt, Jr., a key member of the Dallas Cowboys’ coaching staff, has made the surprising decision to leave the team and join the Washington Commanders as their new defensive coordinator. This move comes after Dan Quinn, the former defensive coordinator for the Cowboys, accepted the head coach position with the Commanders last week. Whitt’s departure marks another shakeup on the defensive side of the ball for the Cowboys.
Whitt’s decision to join Quinn in Washington was confirmed on Sunday, as he officially accepted an offer to become the Commanders’ defensive coordinator. This promotion is a significant step up for Whitt, who previously served as the secondary coach and pass game coordinator for the Cowboys. Despite having a scheduled interview on Monday morning, Whitt chose to head to the nation’s capital instead.
Whitt’s connection with both Quinn and Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy played a crucial role in his decision to join the Commanders. He had previously worked with Quinn during their time together with the Atlanta Falcons in 2020, where Quinn served as head coach. Additionally, Whitt had a longstanding relationship with McCarthy from their time with the Green Bay Packers, where he served as cornerbacks coach before being promoted to defensive passing game coordinator.
During his time with the Cowboys, Whitt played a vital role in helping Quinn orchestrate a highly effective defense. The team excelled in pressuring the quarterback and creating turnovers, thanks in part to Whitt’s expertise. Now, at 45 years old, Whitt will have the opportunity to coordinate an entire defense for the first time in his career. However, it will be for a division rival team in the NFC East, meaning that the Cowboys will face Whitt’s defense at least twice per season.
Whitt’s departure raises questions about which other defensive coaches will remain with the Cowboys for the 2024 season. Notably, cornerbacks coach Al Harris and defensive line coach Aden Durde are among the coaches whose futures with the team are uncertain. Durde is even scheduled to interview for the role of Cowboys’ defensive coordinator on Monday. The potential hiring of an outside candidate, such as Mike Zimmer or Ron Rivera, could lead to further changes on the defensive side of the ball for the Cowboys this offseason.
The Cowboys have already experienced significant changes in their coaching staff in the weeks following their playoff exit. With Whitt’s departure, they will need to regroup and find suitable replacements to maintain their defensive prowess. As the offseason progresses, it remains to be seen how the Cowboys will address these coaching vacancies and continue to build a strong team for the upcoming season.