Mike Pettine’s NFL coaching retirement lasted 10 months.
Pettine, the former Cleveland Browns head coach and a Central Bucks West graduate, is returning as a senior defensive assistant to the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas head coach Brian Schottenheimer announced Monday.
“He’s going to be here in a role to support everything that (defensive coordinator Christian Parker) is leading and guiding,” Schottenheimer told reporters. “I think (his) experience with this system and his understanding of the 3-4 (defense makes him) a great fit. Very excited to have ‘Pet’ join us.”
Pettine, 60, and Schottenheimer worked together with the New York Jets, and he coached alongside Parker with the Green Bay Packers. Pettine had been the defensive coordinator for both franchises,
along with the Buffalo Bills in 2013 during his 23-year NFL coaching career.
Pettine compiled a 10-22 record as the head coach of the Browns (2014-15).
Pettine had retired after the 2025 season with the Minnesota Vikings. He spent four years on Kevin O’Connell’s staff, the last two of which as assistant head coach and outside linebackers coach.
Pettine is a Doylestown native and the former head coach at North Penn (1997–2001) and William Tennent (1995-96). Pettine starred at quarterback for his dad, legendary head coach Mike Pettine Sr., at CB West prior to playing defensive back at Virginia. He was a West assistant coach with his dad on the Bucks’ first official state championship team in 1991.
The Cowboys are off to a 2-3 start this season. They still have to face the Eagles twice in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Pettine returns to NFL coaching with the Dallas Cowboys
