Dallas Cowboys Hire Former SMU Defensive Coordinator As Inside LBs Coach

The Dallas Cowboys are making moves to reshape their defensive staff, and for their latest hire, they didn’t have to look very far. The team is reportedly bringing in Scott Symons, the former defensive coordinator at SMU, to serve as the new inside linebackers coach.

This hiring signals a continued shift toward youth and college-level innovation under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker. Symons has built a reputation just down the road in University Park as one of the rising defensive minds in college football, and now he gets his shot at the NFL level.

Dallas Cowboys: Who is Scott Symons?

Scott Symons might be a new name to some NFL fans, but anyone following college football in Texas knows exactly who he is. For the last four years, Symons has been the defensive coordinator and safeties coach for the SMU Mustangs.

His coaching journey is a testament to grinding through the ranks. He started his career at the high school level before climbing the college ladder. His path took him through Division II and Division III programs like Arkansas Tech and West Georgia, eventually landing him at Memphis and Liberty.

At Liberty, he served as defensive coordinator from 2019 to 2021 before joining Rhett Lashlee’s staff at SMU. Symons played linebacker himself at Lindenwood University, giving him a personal connection to the position group he will now lead for the Cowboys.

Success on the Hilltop

Symons arrives at The Star with a resume full of recent success. During his tenure at SMU, he helped transform the Mustangs’ defense into a formidable unit.

In the 2024 season, Symons played a pivotal role in SMU reaching the College Football Playoff for the first time in school history. His impact was measurable across almost every major statistical category. This past season, his defense ranked fifth in the nation in turnovers gained and fifth in red zone defense. They were also stout against the run (19th nationally) and effective at getting to the quarterback (23rd in sacks).

These numbers didn’t go unnoticed. Symons was a nominee for the Broyles Award—given to the nation’s top assistant coach—in each of the last three seasons. He proved he could scheme against high-powered offenses and develop talent, skills that the Cowboys are banking will translate to the professional game.

A Youth Movement on Defense

One of the most interesting aspects of this hire is how it fits into the Cowboys’ broader offseason strategy. With the hiring of 34-year-old Christian Parker as defensive coordinator, Dallas is clearly prioritizing fresh perspectives over veteran experience.

Symons, at 40 years old, fits right into this youth movement. He joins a staff that includes cornerbacks coach Ryan Smith (35) and outside linebackers coach Chidera Uzo-Diribe (33). The Cowboys seem determined to build a coaching room full of energy and modern schematic ideas, moving away from the “old guard” approach often seen in the NFL.

This strategy carries risk, of course. Transitioning from college to the pros is a significant jump, especially when dealing with grown men and complex NFL offenses. However, it also brings the potential for innovation. College coaches like Symons are often on the cutting edge of defensive adjustments, particularly when it comes to defending the pass and creating turnovers—two areas where the Cowboys are always looking to improve.

What This Means for the Linebacker Room

Symons takes over an inside linebacker group that is critical to the Cowboys’ success. His background as a former player and a coordinator who emphasizes turnovers suggests he will push for aggressive, instinctual play.

The “inside linebackers coach” title is specific, distinguishing his role from the outside linebackers coach. This split focus allows for more specialized instruction. Symons will be tasked with refining the run fits, coverage drops, and communication of the second level of the defense.

Given his success with red zone defense at SMU, fans should hope he brings that same “bend but don’t break” toughness to Dallas. The ability to tighten up near the goal line and force field goals instead of touchdowns is often the difference between winning and losing in the NFL.

Final Thoughts

Hiring Scott Symons is a fascinating move by the Cowboys. It’s a bet on talent and potential rather than NFL pedigree. By plucking a successful coordinator from their own backyard, the Cowboys are showing they are paying attention to the success happening at the college level.

For Symons, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. After years of climbing the coaching ladder, he steps into the spotlight with America’s Team. If he can replicate the turnover production and red zone efficiency he built at SMU, this could be one of the sneaky-good hires of the 2026 offseason.