IRVING, Texas – With a vacancy at secondary coach, Jason Garrett said at the Senior Bowl that the Cowboys would conduct several interviews over the next week.
Jerome Henderson, the Cowboys' secondary coach since 2012, joined the Falcons last week as defensive passing game coordinator. The Cowboys interviewed former University of Miami head coach Al Golden for an unspecified assistant role, but Golden has since joined the Lions' staff as tight ends coach.
The most recent names surfacing this week as possible candidates to replace Henderson include longtime NFL coaches Mike Nolan and Tim Lewis. Both have approximately 20 years' coaching experience in the NFL.
Nolan stepped down as Chargers linebackers coach last month to pursue other opportunities. He also has been the defensive coordinator for seven teams (Giants, Redskins, Jets, Ravens, Broncos, Dolphins and Falcons) and the 49ers' head coach from 2005-08. His father, Dick, was a Cowboys defensive assistant from 1962-67 and again from 1986-90.
Lewis, the 49ers' secondary coach in 2015, was one of several assistants to move on after the season as San Francisco retools its staff under new head coach Chip Kelly. Lewis has previously coached the secondary in Pittsburgh, Carolina, Seattle and Atlanta. He also was the Steelers' and Giants' defensive coordinator from 2000-03 and 2004-06, respectively.
The Cowboys ranked fifth in pass defense in 2015, allowing 227.2 yards per game. In Henderson's place, safeties coach Joe Baker coached the North team defensive backs at the Senior Bowl, assisted by defensive ends coach Ben Bloom.
Henderson is the team's only departing assistant to date since the season ended. Garrett said tight ends coach Mike Pope was excused from the Senior Bowl due to a personal matter.
