October 12, 2026 / 7:01 PM CDT / AP. The Dallas Cowboys are bringing former NFL coach Mike Pettine out of retirement to serve as a senior assistant to defensive coordinator Christian Parker , whose debut in his new position is off to a rough start.

Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Monday that he and Parker spoke with Pettine about joining the staff during a spring visit to the 34-year-old Parker.

Pettine chose to stick with the retirement that had been announced a few weeks earlier.