Why the surprising Cowboys defensive coordinator candidate makes a lot of sense
Aside from the greybeard coaches the Dallas Cowboys are interviewing for their empty defensive coordinator post, a name came up on Wednesday out of nowhere that deviates significantly from the profiles they’ve been looking at.
According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, the Cowboys are interviewing Marquand Manuel, who most recently served as the New York Jets’ safeties coach from 2021 to 2023.
Manuel, 44, is a very different candidate from Mike Zimmer, Ron Rivera, and Rex Ryan (still perplexed about that one), all of whom have interviewed with the team.
The report also comes as a surprise, given that it appeared that the Cowboys were primarily interested in head coaches. However, adding Manuel to the list of contenders feels encouraging because it could indicate an actual, in-depth search rather than simply calling the first old acquaintance who comes to mind.
According to Nick Harris of DallasCowboys.com, “there are expected to be multiple more names thrown into the mix in a search that the front office is willing to extend until next week.”
Who is Marquand Manuel?
Manuel’s résumé is noteworthy, however. He has appeared in 116 NFL games, starting 57 of them as a safety, and is currently a rising coach as a defensive coordinator.
This season, he was also interviewed by the Jacksonville Jaguars. In 2023, the Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans expressed interest as well. His young career has seen some significant stops:
2012-2014 Seattle Seahawks: Assistant special teams coach, defensive assistant, and assistant secondary coach (three-year promotions).
2015-2016 Atlanta Falcons: Assistant Secondary Coach (Dan Quinn kept him from Seattle).
Atlanta Falcons: Defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2018.
2020 Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive backs coach (Doug Pederson staff)
2021-2023 New York Jets: Safeties Coach (Robert Saleh Coaching Tree Influence)
Why Manuel would make a lot of sense for the Cowboys
Manuel is undoubtedly an underdog in this quest, but he makes sense for a Cowboys squad that wants to go “all-in” in 2024. He has six seasons of experience with the Dan Quinn defense and may guide a smooth transition.
He understands the system and, more crucially, the terms. Zimmer, Rivera, and Ryan would have to overcome that obstacle. Not Manuel.
To be fair, the Cowboys’ defensive line coach, Aden Durde, is also a high in-house candidate. However, with experience on his side, Manuel may be a legitimate option Dallas is looking into. If he walks in and blows them away during the interview, he has a chance.
