Former Green Bay Packers defensive back Al Harris has rapidly moved up in the NFL coaching world, and now he has been promoted to one of the top assistants on the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport tweeted on Tuesday, March 19 revealed that Harris had been promoted to Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Backs coach.
Harris had previously worked exclusively as a Defensive Backs coach for the Cowboys and had done an impressive job developing players like Trevon Diggs and Da’Ron Bland. The 49-year-old had held that role since 2020 before being promoted by Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy this season.
McCarthy and Harris had previously worked together with the Packers from 2006 to 2010 during McCarthy’s early years as an NFL head coach. Now, they will continue to work closely together to further develop Dallas’ impressive secondary.
The Cowboys will rely on their secondary to continue getting crucial turnovers, even after former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn left for a head coaching opportunity with the Washington Commanders. Veteran coach Mike Zimmer will now take over on defense and will demand a lot from the team’s defensive backs in his quarters coverage scheme.
Al Harris’ Playing Career
Before becoming a notable figure in the NFL coaching world, Harris was a dominant cornerback for over a decade, despite facing challenges in the beginning.
Selected in the sixth round of the 1997 NFL Draft from Texas A&M-Kingsville, Harris moved around the league in his early years, spending time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Philadelphia Eagles before eventually joining the Packers in 2003.
Harris swiftly rose to fame with the Packers. In his first season with the team, he made an unforgettable game-winning interception against the Seattle Seahawks in overtime of the wildcard playoff game after quarterback Matt Hasselbeck famously stated that his team would score after winning the coin toss.
The dynamic cornerback later became a two-time Pro Bowler and was a second-team All-Pro choice in 2007. He was ultimately released by Green Bay in 2010, concluding his NFL career with short stints in Miami and St. Louis before retiring.
Harris concluded his NFL career with 21 interceptions, 143 pass deflections, and three defensive touchdowns. He was eventually inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 2021 alongside former teammate Charles Woodson.
Mike McCarthy’s Hot Seat
Despite the positive developments for Harris as he continues to make his mark as an NFL coach, McCarthy faces significant pressure heading into the 2024 season.
The Cowboys have shown tremendous strength at times in the regular season, going 12-5 in three consecutive years with considerable momentum heading into the playoffs. However, McCarthy has only managed a 1-3 record in the postseason as the team’s head coach, including a 48-32 rout by his former team, the Packers, this past year.
There were public demands for McCarthy to be dismissed after another early playoff loss, but Cowboys owner Jerry Jones chose to keep the experienced head coach.
Now, the responsibility will be on McCarthy to assist in guiding his team to a successful playoff campaign for the first time as Cowboys head coach, or this may be his last season in Dallas.
