Cowboys’ Trevon Diggs Endorses Al Harris as Next DC After Dan Quinn to Commanders

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Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs made his opinion known as the team now starts its search for a new defensive coordinator.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Dan Quinn is leaving Dallas to become the Washington Commanders’ head coach. With a position now open on the Cowboys’ staff, Diggs stumped for defensive backs coach Al Harris:

Harris spent 14 years in the NFL as a player, reaching back-to-back Pro Bowls with the Green Bay Packers in 2007 and 2008. After retiring, he entered the coaching ranks in 2012 as an intern for the Miami Dolphins.

A year later, the Kansas City Chiefs hired Harris as their secondary coach, and he joined the Cowboys in 2020 after a brief spell at FAU.

His impact is evident in the success of Dallas’ secondary. Diggs was an All-Pro and led the NFL in interceptions (11) in 2021. DaRon Bland did the same thing on both fronts this season and set a single-year record with five pick-sixes.

Under normal circumstances, Harris would be a natural candidate for promotion. The stakes are so high for the Cowboys in 2024, though, that head coach Mike McCarthy might prefer a more experienced hand.

McCarthy hasn’t received an extension from the team, so he’s approaching a pivotal year in his tenure. Speaking specifically about player contracts and the salary cap, team owner Jerry Jones said Dallas is “all in,” but that’s the kind of mindset that can apply more broadly to the organization.

For Harris, the general uncertainty over McCarthy’s future means this may not be an ideal time to become the defensive coordinator, either. This time next year there could be major changes to come for the Cowboys staff.