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Mike McCarthy has made his first hire.

Saints linebackers coach Mike Nolan will become the Cowboys new defensive coordinator, NFL Media reports.

Nolan and McCarthy have a long relationship, with Nolan having hired McCarthy as the 49ers’ offensive coordinator in 2005. McCarthy became the Packers’ head coach the following season.

Nolan’s 92-year-old mother and three of Nolan’s siblings live in the Dallas area, Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News reports. Nolan’s father, Dick, had two stints coaching in Dallas under Tom Landry and then Jimmy Johnson.

The Cowboys are expected to continue using the 4-3 as their base defense, Gehlken reports.

Rod Marinelli served as the defensive coordinator of the team the past six seasons, but Kris Richard served as the defensive passing game coordinator and secondary coach the past two seasons. The Cowboys could retain Richard in that role if he doesn’t get a head coaching job, Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News reports.