Mike Zimmer hires former Cowboys star Greg Ellis for new defensive staff

The Dallas Cowboys added a former player to the coaching staff this week. New defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has hired former defensive end Greg Ellis as assistant defensive line coach under defensive line coach Jeff Zgonina.

Ellis played for Zimmer in Dallas during the coordinator’s long stint from 1994-2006. A Wendell, North Carolina native, he attended UNC where he developed into a starter at defensive end. He went on to be the Dallas Cowboys’ first-round draft pick in 1998 at No. 8 overall.

In his career in Dallas, he started 155 of 162 games for the Cowboys over 11 seasons. After an Achilles injury sidelined him in 2006, Ellis returned in 2007, earning NFL Comeback Player of the Year. He also received his first and only Pro Bowl nod in 2007.

Over his 11 seasons with the Cowboys, he notched 377 tackles, 77 sacks, 20 forced fumbles, and nine fumble recoveries. He also had four interceptions and two touchdowns off returns. After getting the axe due to salary cap limitations, Ellis played one season for the Oakland Raiders before retiring. He posted seven sacks in 14 games for the Raiders.

Prior to joining the Cowboys staff, the former player was head coach at Texas College and Southwest Assemblies of God University (SAGU), two programs in the NAIA. He will work under new defensive line coach Jeff Zgonina. Zgonina is replacing Aden Durde, who took a promotion with Seattle to become a defensive coordinator.

Mike Zimmer also hired a former colleague this week, Paul Guenther. Guenther is now the team’s run game coordinator. He previously worked with Zimmer in Cincinnati and Minnesota. Guenther spent 2018-2020 as the defensive coordinator for the Raiders.

Jeff Zgonina takes over Cowboys defensive line

Zgonina spent the last four seasons on the Washington Commanders’s staff, including the last two as defensive line coach. His coaching career began in 2013 as assistant defensive line coach for the Houston Texans. Since then, he has had tenures with the New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers and Commanders. He replaces Aden Durde as the Cowboys’ defensive line coach, whom the Seattle Seahawks hired as their defensive coordinator.

Zgonina, 53, played 17 years in the NFL for seven teams: The Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, St. Louis Rams, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins and Texans. He tallied 458 tackles (302 solo), 26.0 sacks, three forced fumbles and 13 fumble recoveries. Zgonina won a Super Bowl with the Rams in 1999.