Joe Whitt Jr., former Dallas Cowboys secondary coach and defensive pass game coordinator, has been hired by the Washington Commanders as their next defensive coordinator.

The move comes following Dan Quinn’s hire as the Commanders’ head coach last week. Quinn, the former defensive coordinator for the Cowboys, pried Whitt Jr. out of Dallas to come along with him.

Whitt Jr. has been working in the NFL since 2007. The 45-year-old was with the Green Bay Packers organization for 11 years, working up to the defensive passing game coordinator in 2018. Since leaving, he has held the position for the Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons.

The first-time DC will have his work cut out for him with the Commanders. They are coming off a season in which they finished last in the league in total defense rankings and traded away Pro Bowl defensive end Montez Sweat.

Whitt, HC Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury are all entering their first year in their respective position for Washington.