Cowboys Hire Marcus Dixon, Reunite Him with Christian Parker
The Dallas Cowboys are revamping their defensive coaching staff under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker. In this endeavor, they have officially signed Marcus Dixon as the defensive line coach.
Cowboys’ New Addition: Marcus Dixon
Dixon, 41, replaces Aaron Whitecotton, who has joined the Tennessee Titans to reunite with head coach Robert Saleh. Dixon has a strong connection to the Cowboys, having previously played for the team as an undrafted free agent in 2008.
A Journey Through Football
- Playing Career: Dixon played as a defensive end for the Cowboys, as well as for the New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, and Tennessee Titans.
- Canadian Experience: He also had a brief tenure in the Canadian Football League with the BC Lions.
After his playing days, Dixon returned to Hampton University, where he had been a First-Team All-MEAC (2007) edge rusher. There, he took on roles as the defensive line coach, director of player development, and recruiting coordinator.
Coaching Highlights
Dixon’s coaching skills caught the attention of the NFL, leading him to the Los Angeles Rams in 2021 as the assistant defensive line coach. He joined a team that featured star player Aaron Donald. In 2022, he was promoted to defensive line coach for the Denver Broncos, where he worked alongside Christian Parker.
Prior to joining the Cowboys, Dixon spent two seasons as the defensive line coach for the Minnesota Vikings. Under his guidance, the Vikings fielded one of the NFL’s best defenses in 2025.
Building a Strong Defense
The Cowboys are not stopping with Dixon. Parker has also brought in Ryan Smith to coach cornerbacks and Derrick Ansley as the pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach.
As the coaching staff continues to take shape, the Dallas Cowboys are poised to enhance their defense significantly. The new hires point to a focused approach in developing a formidable team for the upcoming season.
