Locked On Cowboys Podcast | January 14, 2026

Episode Title: Defensive Coordinator SEARCH in Dallas HEATS UP—Is Jonathan Gannon the Right CHOICE For Cowboys?
Hosts: Marcus Mosher & Landon McCool

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on the Dallas Cowboys' search for a new defensive coordinator, with particular emphasis on Jonathan Gannon, former Eagles DC and current Cardinals head coach. Hosts Marcus Mosher and Landon McCool break down Gannon’s background, scheme, strengths and weaknesses, debate his fit in Dallas, and discuss other candidates such as Zach Orr. The hosts also explore how the wider NFL head coaching carousel could affect the Cowboys’ search.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jonathan Gannon: Scheme, Philosophy, and Resume

[01:11–03:47]

• Jonathan Gannon interviewed for the Cowboys defensive coordinator job, and there’s increasing buzz he’s a leading candidate.
• Landon praises Gannon’s modern approach:

  "We can expect a lot of quarters coverage...Gannon is a very modern kind of defensive coordinator. He understands how to attack offenses...has shown the ability to get the most out of the personnel he’s been given..."
  (Landon McCool, 02:14)

• Historically, Gannon’s defenses, especially in Arizona, use a high rate of quarters coverage (four-deep zone shells) and have adapted well even with less-than-ideal rosters.
• Mosher adds the Cowboys seem to want someone with a defensive back background:

  "It seems like they want someone who knows how to figure out coverages and what’s the best way to stop, you know, Kyle Shanahan, a Sean McVay. And that part is really appealing to me."
  (Marcus Mosher, 03:47)

• Gannon’s track record includes leading the Eagles’ defense to a Super Bowl appearance and adapting schemes to take on top NFC West offenses.

Notable Quote

"If he ended up [as] the defensive coordinator, I would be absolutely over the moon."
(Landon McCool, 03:27)

2. Positional Background & Age

[04:40–05:51]

• Gannon spent 9 years coaching defensive backs and is known for his skill in scheming coverages.
• He is still young ("early 40s"), began coaching at age 20, and has NFL experience dating back to 2007.
• The hosts note that his innovation and his ability to confuse Dak Prescott and Brian Schottenheimer (in matchups vs. Dallas) likely contributed to his interview, perhaps for self-scouting as well as hiring considerations.

3. Gannon's Strengths and Weaknesses: The Run Defense Debate

[06:42–10:07]

• Gannon’s defenses tend to be strong in pass defense but struggle vs. the run—because the scheme often sacrifices men in the box for more coverage.
• Surface stats: As a DC, Gannon’s teams have allowed high rushing yards and rushing touchdowns in multiple seasons (e.g., ranked 24th to 29th in yards per attempt, allowing 23+ rushing TDs in 3 of 5 years).
• Marcus challenges whether this is still viable in the evolving NFL:

  "Are we going back to a little bit where stopping the run is at least, on early downs, more important than stopping the pass?"
  (Marcus Mosher, 08:42)

• Landon notes the NFL is trending back toward more balanced run/pass ratios due to how passing-focused defenses (like Gannon’s) have provoked offenses to respond with heavier run schemes:

  "The importance of the run game...is becoming back in fashion because these defenses were doing a good job of stopping the pass...so teams started going back to [the run]."
  (Landon McCool, 09:28)

• If Gannon is hired, Dallas would need to bolster personnel at linebacker and up front to withstand a heavier run focus.

4. Zach Orr: Alternative Candidate Breakdown

[13:58–18:43]

• Zach Orr, former Ravens DC, also interviewed.
• Landon puts Orr into a "third bucket" of candidate types: an up-and-comer with promise but limited experience as a play-caller.

  "He hasn't had a ton of experience...and in the last year, 50% of his experience hasn't always been great..."
  (Landon McCool, 13:58)

• Orr is considered extremely intelligent and was on track to be an excellent linebacker before retiring early due to neck injury.
• Marcus explains Ravens’ defensive success under Mike Macdonald, but notes the unit has declined as Orr’s influence grew—especially versus strong opponents:

  "The further you get away from the Mike Macdonald impact in Baltimore, the worse that defense has gotten...they beat up on bad teams, but whenever they played a decent team, they kind of got crushed..."
  (Marcus Mosher, 15:44)

• Suggests Orr might be better suited as a linebacker coach or consultant than full DC at this stage.

Notable Quote

"I think he's incredibly bright. I would love to have him here—I just think defensive coordinator might be too big of a step."
(Marcus Mosher, 16:45)

5. Comparing Defensive Styles: Stopping the Run vs. the Pass

[18:43–19:47]

• Stats: Orr’s defenses were exceptional vs. the run (1st in rushing yards in 2024, top 10 in 2025), but dead last in pass defense (30th–31st both years).

• Scheme: Orr loads the box to stop early-down runs and blitzes with man coverage on third downs—needs top-tier corners to make it work.

• Landon jokes:

  "Maybe you just need to get Gannon as your DC and Orr as your linebacker [coach]. Perfect."
  (Landon McCool, 19:48)

6. The Coaching Carousel & How It Affects Dallas

[20:14–28:29]

• The league-wide coaching shuffle, including potential moves by John Harbaugh and Mike Tomlin, could heavily influence which defensive coordinators are available to Dallas.
• The hosts believe top DC candidates (e.g., Brian Flores or Jim Schwartz) could be snapped up by other teams quickly, limiting the pool.
• The Steelers and Ravens, as premier coaching destinations, make competition fierce for candidates, possibly reducing Dallas’ options.
• The complex timing of hires means some coaches—like Jim Leonard or Raheem Morris—might have to accept DC jobs rather than wait for head coaching opportunities that may not materialize.
• Landon observes:

  "It's going to make for more opportunities for guys to go here and there…Pittsburgh becomes such a destination...a spot where tough football is valued, where defensive coordinators are valued."
  (Landon McCool, 26:42)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Gannon’s schematic fit:

  "Gannon is exactly the kind of guy you’re looking for, whether you’re Jerry Jones and want the former head coach or...want a modern defensive coordinator."
  (Landon McCool, 03:27)

• On the state of pass vs. run defense:

  "There are a certain category of defensive coordinators...willing to sacrifice the run almost all the way to win with the pass."
  (Landon McCool, 07:37)

• On the NFL’s cyclical nature:

  "The cycle continues."
  (Landon McCool, 09:56)

• On younger, less-established coaching candidates:

  "They've got to hire a lot of coaches...casting a wide net to find other guys."
  (Landon McCool, 17:25)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Gannon’s Interview & Scheme Fit: [01:11–03:47]
• DB Background & Innovation: [04:40–05:51]
• Gannon’s Run Defense Struggles & NFL Trends: [06:42–10:07]
• Zach Orr as Candidate: [13:58–18:43]
• Scheme Comparison (Run vs. Pass): [18:43–19:47]
• Coaching Carousel Implications: [20:14–28:29]

Takeaways for Cowboys Fans

• Gannon is a modern, innovative DC option, strong in coverage and adaptable, but may replicate recent issues with Dallas' run defense unless personnel are upgraded.
• Zach Orr is viewed as extremely smart but inexperienced; an ideal addition as a positional coach or consultant rather than DC.
• The broader NFL coaching carousel may dictate which candidates are ultimately available to Dallas, with some big names potentially snatched elsewhere soon.
• The hosts are cautiously optimistic about Gannon, emphasizing the need to balance scheme and personnel to avoid repeating past defensive issues.

Summary Tone

The hosts bring their typical blend of measured optimism, insider knowledge, and candid skepticism—balancing excitement about potential upgrades with a critical eye on past defensive coordinator shortcomings and the rapidly shifting NFL landscape.