The Philadelphia Eagles added former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Brian Stewart to their coaching staff on Monday.
Stewart will be a special assistant to the defense, working primarily with the secondary. Sean McDermott, the secondary coach last season, now is running the defense while defensive coordinator Jim Johnson is on an indefinite leave of absence to continue treatment for a cancerous tumor on his spine.
"Brian Stewart brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our football club," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "He especially has a good understanding of the NFC East acquired during his time with the Cowboys."
Stewart spent the last two seasons as the Cowboys' defensive coordinator. He was fired after a 44-6 loss at Philadelphia the final week cost Dallas a playoff spot. The Cowboys gave up 22.8 points per game last year, 20th in the league.
Dallas ranked in the top 10 in yards allowed both seasons under Stewart. The Cowboys led the league with 59 sacks last year and finished third with 46 in 2007. Stewart previously served as the secondary coach with the San Diego Chargers from 2004-06. He began his NFL coaching career as an assistant defensive backs coach with the Houston Texans from 2002-03.
A former college cornerback and free safety with Northern Arizona and Santa Monica City College, the 44-year-old Stewart was a college assistant at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo (1993-94), Northern Arizona (1995), Missouri (1996, 1999-2000), San Jose State (1997-98), and Syracuse (2001).
