Blinksportsnews247We could all see after Dan Quinn left for Washington that the defense would be altered.
Mike Zimmer rejoined the Cowboys, the franchise that initially gave him a chance, as their new defensive coordinator.
After serving as the defensive coordinator for the Cowboys from 2000 to 2006, Zimmer has held coaching positions in Atlanta, Cincinnati, and Minnesota.
It seems like the Cowboys are allowing Zimmer some leeway in selecting his staff.
According to Todd Archer of ESPN NFL Nation, Dallas has hired former NFL defensive tackle Jeff Zgonina away from the Commanders.
It is ironic to take a coach away from the Cowboys in exchange for Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr., which Washington received from the team.
In a similar development, Zgonina hired former first-round pick Greg Ellis to serve as his assistant defensive line coach.
Playing Profession
Throughout his 17 years of playing defensive lineman, Jeff Zgonina saw more profitable tenure on seven different clubs than the typical player.
After being selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the seventh round of the 1993 NFL Draft, he only played for them for two years before moving on to play for Carolina, Atlanta, St. Louis, and Indianapolis.
Not until 1999, during his second stay in St. Louis, did Zgonina prove to be a useful member of a defense.
Zgonina played for the Rams for four years, winning a Super Bowl during that time, before finishing his career in Miami and Houston.
With 458 tackles, 47 tackles for loss, 26.0 sacks, 13 fumble recoveries, and one interception during his career, he retired at the age of 39.
Career in Coaching
The Houston Texans, Zgonina’s final squad before retirement, hired him as an assistant defensive line coach in 2013, marking the start of his coaching career.
He played the same position for the New York Giants for one season following three years in Houston.
Then, in 2017, Zgonina was given his big break when he was hired by the San Francisco 49ers to coach their defensive line.
Zgonina coached productive athletes like DeForest Buckner, Solomon Thomas, Arik Armstead, and Nick Bosa in three years along the bay.
In 2020, he was employed by Washington as an assistant defensive line coach, and in 2023, he was elevated to the position of head defensive line coach.
Washington did not re-sign him, which is not shocking given that they have a new defensive coordinator and head coach.
Zgonina is a good addition to Zimmer’s staff, and perhaps he can improve discipline and technique for a defensive line that is in dire need of both.
Ellis, Greg
The Cowboys have also added former 1998 first-round pick Greg Ellis to the staff as an assistant defensive line coach in a commensurate move.
Ellis was a valuable member of the defense for the Cowboys for 11 of his 12 NFL seasons.
Sadly, Ellis is best remembered for being the player Jerry Jones and the Cowboys selected over Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss—a choice that still causes controversy in Cowboys Nation.
His achievements with the Cowboys are something to be proud of.
With 502 stops, 75 tackles for loss, 20 forced fumbles, 11 fumble recoveries, four interceptions, and two career touchdowns, he concluded his career with the Cowboys.
Ellis has never had the chance to lead an NFL team as a coach.
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