EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFRISCO, Texas -- Mike Pettine was traveling through Italy, celebrating his 60th birthday when he got a call from Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker a few weeks ago seeing if he would take a role on the staff."When somebody you care about, a friend that's in need and asks for some help, you answer the call," Pettine said.Pettine is finishing his first week as a senior defensive assistant, reuniting with Parker, whom he brought into the NFL as a quality control coach with the Green Bay Packers in 2018.The subject of joining the staff was first broached in the winter, but Pettine had recently announced his retirement. Pettine visited the Cowboys in the spring and was with the coaches for a few days.Pettine will be in the coaches booth during games while Parker will remain on the sideline."I'm just obviously trying to hit the ground running here," Pettine said. "I feel like I'm trying to sip water from a fire hose, but trying to get caught up on all the film and make observations here and there. But I'm just here to support him and both him and (coach Brian Schottenheimer) and the rest of the defensive staff in any way I can."Pettine has 24 years of NFL experience, including three defensive coordinator stops (New York Jets, 2009-12; Buffalo Bills, 2013, Green Bay, 2018-20) and a two-year run as head coach of the Cleveland Browns (2014-15).He spent the previous four seasons as assistant head coach of the Minnesota Vikings.Parker is in his first year as a coordinator and has just eight years of NFL experience."I have about a 4-inch thick book of what not to do and a very thin one of what to do, so I think that's key is being able to learn from others' mistakes," Pettine said. "As much as you think you're prepared for it, you're really not until you get into it. I think that's where I'll be able to help him."Pettine has spent most of his time in the film room, studying the Cowboys' personnel and Parker's scheme. Through five games, the Cowboys are 31st in yards allowed per game (395.4) and 25th in points per game (27.2) while not recording an interception and putting up just five sacks."One thing I learned a long time ago is football's a game of a million little things. There's no one magic play to run," Pettine said. "It's a lot of the detail stuff. [I've] been taking a lot of notes and it's not like it's something that, 'Hey, we're going to do these 30 things different today,' but it's things that need to get addressed. I think I've got a pretty good feel now for the roster, and the plan needs to be like, 'Hey, let's highlight what we do well' and make sure we gear that towards taking away just typical game plan stuff, take away what the opponent does well."
