Ellis candid about Zimmer, journey back to Cowboys 

“Oh yeah, I can undoubtedly relate to that [pressure they’re feeling],” mentioned Ellis. “But it surely’s good to be on the opposite finish. It is good to have performed right here and to now coach right here, for me, it is actually a dream come true.”

It hasn’t been a straightforward journey thus far for Ellis. Fairly the opposite, really, however earlier than he took a single step towards it, he selected to place his household first; and that meant additionally factoring within the time he spent away in his 12 years as a participant within the league — the ultimate 12 months being in Oakland with the Raiders.

“My first alternative to educate, I could not benefit from it,” he defined. “I needed my youngsters to get a bit older. They’re older now so it really works out properly for my household and myself, to be concerned with teaching. … Zim, and even Invoice Parcells, they at all times instructed me I wanted to educate once I first retired.

“I beloved it and needed to do it, however I am a workaholic, to be sincere with you, and I do know that soccer welcomes that but it surely would not have been good for my household — being so younger.”

He’d lastly pursue the following chapter of his skilled profession when he took the job as head coach of Texas School in Tyler, Texas, greater than two hours away from his residence in Southlake, Texas, and remained there till he accepted the identical function at Southwestern Assemblies of God (SAGU) in Waxahachie, Texas — one hour away from his residence.

Ellis has paid his dues, even when that included washing workforce uniforms … as head coach.

Add that to the character of a person who as soon as returned from a ruptured Achilles to earn his aforementioned Professional Bowl nod together with honors as NFL Comeback Participant of the Yr in 2007, and it is not tough to see the worth he brings as a pacesetter and mentor on protection.

“When folks say, ‘He is solely right here as a result of he performed for the Cowboys,’ I am like nah, nah, I needed to undergo some stuff to get right here; and I am glad I did,” mentioned Ellis. “I got here in[to coaching] at floor degree, driving two hours on a regular basis to get to soccer observe from Southlake to Tyler — doing the [team’s] laundry, all that kinda stuff I went via.

“I did all these issues. Plenty of work went into getting right here.”

And now that he is [back] right here in Dallas, Ellis is seeking to rekindle the success he had with Zimmer in yesteryear, however in a a lot completely different manner this time round.

“The most important change with him is me being a coach, and me not taking part in for him,” he mentioned of Zimmer. “I’ve an amazing respect for him from once I performed for him, as a result of he is an amazing instructor of the sport. He taught me rather a lot in regards to the recreation. To be on the opposite facet of it with him is completely different for me.”

It is also completely different in that Zimmer is not yelling at him on a rep-to-rep foundation.

“You mentioned it, I did not, however I agree with you,” Ellis quipped, semi-jokingly. “He holds coaches to be accountable. I have been round him lengthy sufficient to know that no matter you inform him you are going to do, he will maintain you to it. He is not gonna neglect it. And that is the advantage of him and what makes him a superb coach.

“I actually cannot consider a greater coach for me to be below — than him.”

It is also true that these aware of Zimmer’s abrupt, direct and justifiably demanding teaching type (e.g., Ellis, Eric Kendricks) are being tasked with acclimating the present secure of gamers to what the brand new customary might be in 2024. This might be particularly essential for the first-year defensive gamers, however Ellis has already warned them to deal with the substance of the directives.

And possibly not a lot on the plate it could be delivered on.

“I’ve instructed the rookies already: It is skilled soccer,” mentioned the Cowboys’ assistant defensive position coach. “It is the best degree you may go, so do not get caught up in how the message is delivered. Perceive we’re all working towards the identical purpose. … So far as these first- and second-round picks, feeling that strain, it is part of the NFL.

“I believe we have got some good youngsters. Marshawn [Kneeland] is an efficient one. Seeing him on the market, within the brief time I have been with him on the sector, he is trying good and strikes rather well.”

Ellis joins Jeff Zgonina, the newly-hired defensive position coach who was wooed away from the Washington Commanders this offseason, in being thrown the keys to not solely Kneeland’s future, but in addition everything of a defensive position that additionally consists of the necessity to reset former first-round choose Mazi Smith, and main Sam Williams into what the previous second-round choose right into a season he views because the one that may “decide the remainder of my profession”.

So whereas there’s numerous strain on the gamers to get the job accomplished over the following a number of months, it additionally exists for Ellis and his compatriots.

But when historical past has confirmed something about Ellis, it is that strain is solely one other day for him to show he is the precise man for the job, no matter that job could be. If the Cowboys did not have already got others dealing with the laundry duties, Ellis would in all probability don’t have any drawback taking over that function as properly in Dallas.

Fortunately, although, the one stains he’ll be requested to assist take away are those on Dallas’ current postseason report.

These are essentially the most cussed ones, anyway.