Dallas Cowboys reveal important insight into their defensive coordinator search to replace Matt Eberflus
We don’t know who they will interview just yet. But the Cowboys provided some clarity on their DC search.
The Dallas Cowboys are searching for a new defensive coordinator and there’s very little we know about where they’re headed in life after Matt Eberflus. As of this writing, not one interview has been reported on.
However, on Wednesday’s end-of-season press conference, the Cowboys provided important intel on their search. From head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s involvement to what they’re looking for in their ideal defensive coordinator, here’s what we learned.
Schottenheimer in on defensive coordinator hire
Despite speculation from fans and media to the contrary, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones emphasized Schottenheimer was in on the Matt Eberflus hire last year.
“Shotty had everything to do with hiring Matt Eberflus last time,” Jones told reporters. “There’s no way in the world he’s here if Shotty didn’t want him here. Let me be real clear about that, he can tell you in his own words.”
Jones added the Cowboys will make a decision on the next defensive coordinator as a group, and Schottenheimer will clearly have a big say. And yet, the biggest question remains will the final call be Schotty’s? Most head coaches in the NFL choose their coordinators. It’s part of having the top job.
Hopefully, this is Schottenheimer’s hire. He proved last year he can build a good staff when he spearheaded the efforts to build the offensive staff, including hiring Klayton Adams as offensive coordinator, who is already emerging as a name to watch for head coach in future years.
What Cowboys are looking for in new DC
A lot has been made about the fact that Eberflus’ scheme didn’t fit what the Cowboys had in terms of talent. But when asked about what kind of scheme they have in mind for their future DC, Schottenheimer was very clear they do not view things like that.
“The best coaches, in my opinion, are flexible,” Schottenheimer explained. “We’re not going to pigeonhole ourselves and say, ‘Hey, we have to be three, four down, whatever it is.’ I’ve been in the West Coast system, the digit system. Hell, I played for Steve Spurrier in the Fun ‘n’ Gun, right? Good coaches take the players that they have, they’ve got an identity. They take their players and they fit their players into the model that fits what they do well.”
Not only do coaches need to adapt to their players, but they need to convince them their way is the right way.
“You’re looking for a teacher,” Schottenheimer added. “You’re looking for a guy that has the ability to instruct and get guys to believe and get guys to buy in. We’re salesmen. When you’re up there in front of the players, you’re selling them on why what you’re doing offensively, defensively, special teams, why it’s going to work. And part of that’s your personality, part of it is your ability to communicate.”
That’s why knowing who is the right or wrong coach is tough to know if you’re just looking at stats. Clearly, those are important and reflect a coach’s good work. But there’s so much more that needs to be evaluated in interviews. That’s what the Cowboys will set out to do later in the week, per Stephen Jones.
“We haven’t made any requests yet,” Jones admitted. “I think this week, as it goes along, we’ll probably get to a point where we’re sending those request forms in.”
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