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Cowboys Hiring Michigan DBs Coach Greg Jackson

Is the Cowboys' search for a defensive backs coach coming to an end?

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

[UPDATE 2:37 EST]: Seems like it's a done deal, acccording to Alex Marvez of Foxsports.

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com clarifies the new setup in Dallas.

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It looks like the Cowboys are interested in bringing in Michigan secondary coach Greg Jackson, Charean Williams of the Star-Telegram is reporting.

The Cowboys have been unusually thorough in finding a replacement for departed secondary coach Jerome Henderson, and have already interviewed six secondary coaches:

  • Al Golden, former University of Miami head football coach (2011-15).
  • Steve Brown, assistant secondary coach for the Tennessee Titans (2012-present).
  • Joe Baker, the Cowboys' own assistant secondary and safeties coach (2012-present).
  • Tim Lewis, defensive back coach for the 49ers last year. DB coach and defensive coordinator for various NFL teams since 1993.
  • Mike Nolan, former 49ers head coach, and former defensive coordinator for the Ravens, Jets, Redskins, Giants, Broncos, Dolphins, and Falcons. Most recently the linebackers coach in San Diego.
  • Gil Byrd, former Tampa Bay secondary coach (2014-15), and previously worked with Rod Marinelli in Chicago from 2009-2012.

Greg Jackson would up that number to seven.

Jackson played in the NFL for 12 years for teams like the Giants, Eagles, Jets, and Chargers before beginning his career as a college coach. As a coach, Jackson spent eight years in college football before joining the 49ers in 2011 as an assistant defensive backs coach.

He was the assistant secondary coach for four years in San Francisco, where five defensive backs earned Pro Bowl honors and the defense led the NFL in 2011 and 2014 with 23 interceptions. In 2012, it was the NFC's top passing defense and fourth in the NFL.

Jackson followed Jim Harbaugh to Michigan as the defensive backs coach in 2015, when the 49ers chased Jim Harbaugh out of town. Jackson and Harbaugh first met each other as teammates in 1999.

At Michigan, Jackson coached a secondary that allowed only 158.5 passing yards per game, the third best value in the FBS last year, and led the nation in defensive passing efficiency.

If Jackson can bring some of that to Dallas, and if the team adds a few talents in the secondary, the Cowboys should be in a good place next season.

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