4 reasons why Cowboys Nation is rooting for Jim Leonhard to become the next defensive coordinator in Dallas
It feels like Dallas Cowboys fans have a favorite candidate to replace Matt Eberflus as defensive coordinator.
As the first names of the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator search emerge, there’s one candidate that many fans are rooting for to replace Matt Eberflus—who was fired earlier this week after one year on the job.
That is Denver Broncos passing game coordinator Jim Leonhard, who is considered one of the best assistant coaches around the NFL. He’s one of three interviews the Cowboys have scheduled so far, and his will be conducted Saturday.
But why are so many Cowboys fans rooting for Leonhard to be the hire? Below are the top five reasons.
1. Leonhard’s resume is strong
For starters, Leonhard has done the damn thing. Successfully.
Despite not having defensive coordinator experience at the NFL, he was DC for the Wisconsin Badgers for six years, even holding an interim head coaching position over a seven-game stretch.
In his time as defensive coordinator, the Badgers defense ranked first among Power 5 teams in many metrics, including third down efficiency, yards per game, and first downs per game allowed. His defense was also Top 5 in takeaways, touchdowns, and points per game.
And though Leonhard doesn’t call the plays for the Broncos, he’s a crucial element of their defense, which is currently one of the best in the entire league and the main reason why Denver is holds the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs. He might not have DC experience in the pros, but don’t think for a second Leonhard isn’t battle-tested.
2. Leonhard breaks the Cowboys’ mold
We can all agree it’s time for the Cowboys to shake things up. Hiring Leonhard would be a major deviation from their usual approach to hiring a defensive coordinator. Since 2014, the Cowboys have had five defensive coordinators, all of whom came in with previous NFL head coaching experience.
Upon Dan Quinn departing to the Washington Commanders in 2024, which names popped up from the Cowboys’ search for a replacement? Rex Ryan. Ron Rivera. Mike Zimmer—who was ultimately hired. Now? So far, we know about Leonhard, Daronte Jones (Vikings passing game coordinator), and Ephraim Banda (Browns safeties coach). Dallas is doing things differently, and so far the list confirms it’s head coach Brian Schottenheimer driving the bus.
3. He’s the teacher Schottenheimer wants
When asked about what we wants in his future defensive coordinator, Schottenheimer emphasized he wanted a true teacher.
“We want to cast a wide net of candidates and find someone that’s a great teacher, a great communicator,” Schottenheimer said earlier in the week. “Someone that’s passionate about football, but the ability to take what is complicated information — what we ask our players to do in all three phases is complicated. We want guys that can say complicated information in a simple manner. And if I say something to you that you don’t understand, I need the ability to say it a different way.”
Is Leonhard that guy? His results elsewhere suggest he is, and the way he talks does as well.
“Coaching is teaching,” Leonhard once said via Dan Casey. “The best teachers are efficient with their words. I put a lot of thought into making complex concepts as simple as possible. The more players have to think, the slower they play. Make it simple, efficient, & fun so guys can play fast.”
4. Tap into Vance Joseph’s DNA
Here’s the thing about Leonhard: Despite working the last couple of years under Broncos DC Vance Joseph, he’s his own guy. He’s already led a defense, and it’s not like he’ll land a job and try to be Vance Joseph 2.0.
However, he has had access to Joseph for two years now, and there’s no question the latter is one of the best defensive minds in the NFL. Tapping into that coaching tree should bring the Cowboys positive things. Joseph runs fundamentally-sound units that communicate at a very high level. His players tend to know the scheme like the palm of their hands.