Less than a day after welcoming their new defensive line coach, the Dallas Cowboys are hiring University of Georgia defensive assistant Chidera Uzo-Diribe to the staff as the outside linebackers coach.
The rising-star received interest from multiple teams in recent years and now lands in Dallas under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker. Dallas had also interviewed Steelers OLB coach Denzel Martin for the position.
The addition of Uzo-Diribe signals a potential schematic shift which could indicate a Cowboys move from their traditional even front to a 3-4 defensive base, making the OLB job a particularly important role. He also has experience developing hybrid edge players that fit multiple fronts.
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Uzo-Diribe, 33, was a standout defensive end from the university of Colorado and coached the defensive line at SMU in 2021. He followed head coach Sonny Dykes to TCU after the 2021 season before eventually landing at Georgia. He also served as the outside linebacker’s coach for the Kansas Jayhawks during the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
With Georgia, he helped the Bulldogs win a National Championship in 2022 which featured a defense that ranked first in rushing defense, fifth in scoring defense, and ninth in total defense. That team boasted All-American players such as defensive lineman Jalen Carter, now of the Philadelphia Eagles and Freshman of the Year finalist Malakai Starks, now of the Baltimore Ravens.
He now joins Marcus Dixon (DL Coach), Ryan Smith (CB coach), and Derrick Ansley (DB coach/ defensive passing game coordinator) as the newest members of this remade defensive staff that is devoid of nepotism.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Georgia’s Chidera Uzo-Diribe expected to join Cowboys defensive staff
