Cowboys assistant Jerome Henderson takes job with Atlanta Falcons

Jerome Henderson ranks as the biggest coaching staff departure for the Dallas Cowboys this off-season.

The secondary coach has accepted a job with the Atlanta Falcons to become their defensive passing game coordinator, according to a source. The Cowboys are “wide open” in finding a replacement for Henderson, and are not expected to fill the vacancy internally.

Safeties coach Joe Baker is expected to continue in his role and re-sign with the organization.

Henderson also had an expiring contract, and had been interviewing for other jobs. He was among several candidates the Cleveland Browns talked to for their head coaching vacancy, and he interviewed for the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defensive coordinator position.

Henderson, who joined the Cowboys’ staff in 2012, appeared to be ready to stay with the organization after not getting either of those jobs, and didn’t seem intent on making a lateral move. But he clearly felt he had a better opportunity in Atlanta.

The Cowboys had the fifth-best pass defense this past season with Henderson, but, the secondary combined for only five interceptions. Starting cornerbacks Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne did not record interceptions, and both could be playing elsewhere next season.

Carr could be cut for salary cap reasons, and Claiborne is set for free agency.

Henderson is the first notable coaching staff change for the Cowboys, who are keeping most of the staff in place following a 4-12 season.

There could be other changes as well, according to the source. Steve Loney will move to tight ends coach, leaving the status of Mike Pope unclear. Pope had served the past two seasons as tight ends coach.

Former offensive lineman Marc Colombo is also expected to be promoted to assistant offensive line coach after serving last season as an offensive assistant.

Other coaches with expiring contracts include defensive ends coach Ben Bloom, defensive staff assistant Turner West and offensive staff assistant Kevin Carberry. However, all are expected to be with the staff when they coach the Senior Bowl next week in Mobile, Alab.

This story was originally published January 24, 2016 at 6:32 PM with the headline "Cowboys assistant Jerome Henderson takes job with Atlanta Falcons."