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When the Cowboys were looking for a defensive coordinator, they interviewed Joe Whitt Jr. for the job. He didn’t get it, that went to Dan Quinn, but Whitt did impress the Cowboys ownership during his interview and that led to another position on the staff.
The Cowboys are adding Joe Whitt Jr. as the passing game coordinator and secondary coach.
Another important hire for Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy: team landed Joe Whitt Jr. as its defensive pass game coordinator/secondary coach, source said. Two-year contract. Falcons approved move; Whitt had time left on contract. Whitt spent 11 seasons on McCarthy’s Packers staff.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) January 13, 2021
Joe Whitt Jr’s interview with the #Cowboys was lengthy and sounded like he really impressed Jerry Jones in particular. Now, he’s on board. https://t.co/3JzET5hLox
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 13, 2021
As has been noted, Whitt has a long relationship with Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy from their days with the Green Bay Packers. Whitt Jr. also has a relationship with Dan Quinn from their recent run in Atlanta.
The concern from fans will come from the fact that the Falcons defense was a shambles last season and their pass defense was awful, last in the league in some categories. The hope is that it was Whitt’s first season in Atlanta, and the team has lost talent to injury and other means, and the pandemic was an issue implementing their ideas.
The question now is what becomes of Maurice Linquist and Al Harris. No word yet on their fate as coaches in the secondary.
UPDATE: The resolution of the secondary coaches may be this from Bryan Broaddus.
With the hiring of Joe Whitt Jr. My gut feeling is that they’re moving on from Maurice Lindquist. Hearing from college sources he’s hunting a job. Al Harris appears to be staying.
— BryanBroaddus (@BryanBroaddus) January 13, 2021