The Dallas Cowboys have experienced one of the most unusual offseasons in recent memory. After avoiding a proactive approach to interviewing head coaches and denying Mike McCarthy permission to seek opportunities with other teams, it appeared McCarthy would return as head coach in 2025. However, Dallas and McCarthy opted to part ways after struggling to reach an agreement during contract negotiations, leading to a surprising vacancy.
Immediately after the announcement, the Cowboys were linked to high-profile candidates, including Deion Sanders, head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, and the legendary Pete Carroll. Ultimately, however, they chose to promote from within, elevating offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to head coach. Schottenheimer is now in the process of assembling his coaching staff and appears to have found his choice for defensive coordinator after Mike Zimmer’s departure.
“The (Cowboys) are expected to hire former (Bears) HC Matt Eberflus as their new defensive coordinator under new HC Brian Schottenheimer, per sources. It will be a return to Dallas for Eberflus, who was their LBs coach from 2011-2017,” reported Jordan Schultz on Monday.
This is an intriguing development, especially considering Eberflus’s tenure in Chicago ended poorly—he was the first Bears head coach to be fired mid-season.
Reactions from fans on social media have varied. One fan tweeted, “Great DC. 1st and 2nd downs he will be great. His 3rd down defense will be horrific. It doesn’t matter the distance he will give up the 1st down. He plays a lot of soft defense but his redzone defense is very good in not allowing TDs.” Another fan remarked, “This really is a solid coaching staff. People don’t really watch football; they just want the flashy names and then call everybody else (bad) when the flashy names really be mid.” A third fan added, “Good hire for Dallas.” It’ll be intriguing to see if Eberflus can clear up the tarnished reputation currently attached to his name.
