Cowboys name Rob Ryan as Defensive Coordinator

The Dallas Cowboys made official what everyone already suspected, naming Rob Ryan as defensive coordinator.  Ryan has spent the last 7 years as a defensive coordinator in the NFL, the last 2 with Cleveland and the 5 prior in Oakland. 

The Ryan name is familiar to the Cowboys, as they spent years facing Buddy Ryan’s (Rob’s father) defense of the rival Philadelphia Eagles.  Like his father, Rob is known for an aggressive style of defense. 

Ryan’s hiring should bring needed changes to the Cowboys defense, which had become stale and prone to giving up big plays.  It remains to be seen whether Ryan will be allowed to choose his own assistants.  The Cowboys have a history of keeping former coaches on the staff, i.e. Dave Campo, Hudson Houck, Wade Wilson, and even head coach Jason Garrett.