After months of speculation, it has happened: Matt Eberflus is out as the Cowboys defensive coordinator after just one year on the job. Brian Schottenheimer publicly backed his embattled coordinator all
season long, but the lack of improvements or adjustments at any point throughout the year forced his hand once the season ended.
Now, Schottenheimer will look for the franchise’s fourth different defensive coordinator in as many seasons, as he tries to turn around this unit that played a huge part in costing the Cowboys a shot at the playoffs this year. As the search begins, here are 15 coaches Schottenheimer should (and likely will) consider.
Jim Schwartz
The defensive coordinator for the Browns over the last three seasons, Jim Schwartz has had plenty of success in his career. Over the last three seasons, Cleveland is first in the league in EPA/play allowed by a considerable margin. The year prior to his arrival, Cleveland was 25th in EPA/play allowed.
Schwartz checks a lot of boxes. He’s coordinated some great defenses throughout his career – he held that title when the Eagles won their first Super Bowl – and also has been a head coach before, going 29-51 in five seasons with the Lions with one playoff appearance. And with the Browns moving on from Kevin Stefanski on Monday morning, Schwartz is available.
Schwartz is known as an X’s and O’s mastermind, selective in his aggression and tailoring the scheme to the week’s matchup. He cut his teeth under Jeff Fisher and Gregg Williams with the Titans, both of whom Schottenheimer worked alongside with the Rams.
Jim Leonhard
One of the two most commonly listed names on Cowboys fans’ wish list – the other being Brian Flores, who is almost certainly not a realistic option – is Jim Leonhard, currently the assistant head coach and pass game coordinator for the Broncos.
In Denver, Leonhard has played an integral role in turning the Broncos into a defensive powerhouse, with the secondary being especially elite. Prior to that, Leonhard went 4-3 as the interim head coach at his alma mater, Wisconsin, following six seasons as the defensive coordinator there. Many felt he should’ve been named the full time head coach, especially given how stout his defenses had been prior to being elevated.
Considered a rising star, Leonhard is on the path towards being a head coach, and may get interviews this year. If Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph gets a head coaching job elsewhere, though, Leonhard could opt to stay in Denver for a promotion. That said, Leonhard spent three seasons playing for the Jets, during which Schottenheimer was the offensive coordinator.
Raheem Morris
Hiring a recently-fired Falcons head coach worked out really well last time, so why not?
All jokes aside, Raheem Morris is going to be a hot commodity for defensive coordinator openings around the league. Atlanta didn’t even wait until Black Monday, firing Morris Sunday night after wrapping up his second 8-9 finish in as many seasons as the Falcons head coach.
Morris had previously been the Falcons’ interim head coach when Dan Quinn was fired, but he was passed over in favor of Arthur Smith. Morris then replaced Smith two years ago, but he failed to make the playoffs in either year despite having sky-high expectations both years.
Head coaching may not be for Morris, who is 37-56 across three different stints with the Buccaneers and Falcons, but defense is definitely in his wheelhouse. Over the three years he ran the Rams defense prior to returning to Atlanta, Morris’ defenses were 12th in EPA/play. He also won a Super Bowl with the Rams. A longtime associate of Quinn, bringing Morris to Dallas would be a way to get back to the schemes they had run when Quinn was in town, though Morris may be tempted to just reunite with his friend in Washington, where Quinn needs a new defensive coordinator of his own.
Wink Martindale
Not long ago, Don “Wink” Martindale was topping head coach wish lists. His work as the defensive coordinator for the Ravens, where he stymied quarterbacks with his exotic blitz looks, turned heads everywhere. He ultimately parted ways “mutually” to make way for rising coach Mike MacDonald, taking the same job with the Giants. He would later resign in anger following a spat with head coach Brian Daboll, who’s no longer employed.
Martindale spent the past two years running the defense at Michigan, and the Wolverines have been one of the better defenses in college football during that span, finishing in the top 25 in both scoring and yards allowed each season. A new head coach at Michigan has brought in a new defensive coordinator, making Martindale available.
Known for his gruff and aggressive personality, Martindale shares a lot philosophically with what Schottenheimer is trying to instill in Dallas. He’s the polar opposite of Eberflus in just about every way, and his track record of success is undeniable.
Steve Wilks
Few coaches have had as turbulent a career as Steve Wilks. Once a rising star as the defensive backs coach for Ron Rivera’s Panthers, Wilks succeeded Sean McDermott as defensive coordinator and was immediately hired as the Cardinals head coach. He was then fired after one season on the job. He then joined the Browns under new head coach Freddie Kitchens, who was fired after one year on the job.
After a brief stint in the college ranks, Wilks rejoined the Panthers under Matt Rhule. He then became the interim head coach, led Carolina to a 6-6 finish, and saw his players publicly lobby for him to get the permanent job. He was passed over for Frank Reich, who was fired not even a full year into his job. That led Wilks to the 49ers, where his defense finished top 10 in both EPA/play and DVOA, but Kyle Shanahan fired him after losing in the Super Bowl.
Wilks then joined the Jets as their defensive coordinator this year, but was fired in mid-December after watching both Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner get traded away at the deadline. Wilks is known for physical defenses that like to blitz while disguising coverages, and he’s often been praised for his leadership abilities. His track record has been mixed, though he’s had multiple seasons with top 10 defenses.
Patrick Graham
Perhaps the anti-Wilks, Patrick Graham has managed to survive three different regime changes with the Raiders. Initially hired to Josh McDaniels’ staff, he was retained when Antonio Pierce had his interim tag removed. When Pierce was replaced by Pete Carroll, Graham was once again kept around. But the clashing philosophies of Carroll and Graham had prompted whispers all season of a split, and with Carroll now fired, Graham is on the market anyway.
For those who want Brian Flores in Dallas, Graham would be a solid consolation prize. Graham and Flores grew as defensive assistants together in New England, and Graham was later Flores’ first defensive coordinator with the Dolphins.
While they don’t run the exact same scheme – Graham definitely blitzes less – they share the same overarching philosophy. That is to say Graham believes in tailoring his scheme to his personnel – as opposed to just talking about it, like some coaches do – and doing what his players do best.
Mike Pettine
Speaking of Brian Flores, there’s a coach in Minnesota who’s got some serious experience running a defense. Mike Pettine currently serves as the Vikings’ assistant head coach and outside linebackers coach, and he’s been around for all three of Flores’ seasons there.
Pettine also has head coaching experience, 10-22 during the Johnny Manziel era of the Browns. Following his firing in Cleveland, Pettine actually spent the 2017 season as a consultant with the Seahawks before Mike McCarthy hired him as his defensive coordinator in Green Bay. Pettine would later be retained by Matt LaFleur for a few seasons.
It’s what led to Pettine’s head coaching job, though, that makes him a serious candidate here. He was the defensive coordinator for Rex Ryan’s Jets, overlapping with Schottenheimer, for four years. Pettine’s familiarity with both Schottenheimer and Flores should make him a candidate.
James Bettcher
The Colts may have collapsed over the second half of the season, missing the postseason after starting 8-2, but that doesn’t change how much they improved from last year. While much of the focus was on Daniel Jones, new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo was a huge addition as well after several strong years in the same role with the Bengals.
Anarumo is expected to garner head coaching interest this offseason, and his right hand man – linebackers coach James Bettcher – should also garner interest for coordinator gigs. Bettcher was once a coordinator himself, with both the Cardinals and Giants. In his three seasons leading Arizona’s defense, his unit was fourth in EPA/play allowed. He even earned head coaching interest at the time, once being called the defensive version of Sean McVay.
His career trajectory fell off track in the Big Apple, but Bettcher has spent the last four years under the tutelage of Anarumo. He may be ready for his next crack at a coordinator gig, and the Cowboys could certainly do worse than bringing in someone with his background.
Daronte Jones
Still looking for a branch off the Brian Flores tree? Look no further. Daronte Jones coaches the defensive backs in Minnesota and has been Flores’ pass game coordinator each season with the Vikings. Prior to his time in Minnesota, Jones spent one year as the defensive coordinator at LSU.
He went to LSU after working under Mike Zimmer with the Vikings, which came after stints under both Lou Anarumo and Vance Joseph. That gives Jones extensive experience working under four of the most respected defensive minds of the last decade, three of whom have been head coaches before.
Jones likely wouldn’t run a carbon copy of Flores’ scheme in Dallas, or anywhere he goes as a defensive coordinator, but he has seen firsthand what makes the scheme work so well. He’s also got plenty of experience in other schemes to draw on in turning around the Cowboys’ dreadful defense.
Ken Norton Jr.
Jerry Jones loves nothing more than to remember the good ol’ days when his teams were winning Super Bowls left and right. Why not hire a defensive coordinator who played for those teams and has history with Schottenheimer?
Ken Norton Jr. is currently the linebackers coach for a Commanders defense that was miserable all year, but his track record as a coordinator is a little better. Norton began his coaching career at USC under Pete Carroll, later following him to Seattle. He was hired as the Raiders defensive coordinator under Jack Del Rio and, when Del Rio was dumped for Jon Gruden, Norton came back to the Seahawks to replace Kris Richard (who had left for Dallas) as the defensive coordinator.
That came at the same time as Schottenheimer’s hire to run the Seahawks offense, giving them plenty of familiarity with each other. Norton was eventually fired for the next guy on this list, but that had more to do with Seattle’s aging stars than Norton himself. This wouldn’t be the most popular hire, but Norton checks three crucial boxes: he knows Schottenheimer, he runs Dan Quinn’s scheme, and his mere existence offers a reminder of what Jerry Jones still believes himself to be capable of.
Clint Hurtt
If Schottenheimer wants to look in the direction of another former Seahawks coach who currently works for a division rival, Clint Hurtt is a solid option. Currently the Eagles defensive line coach, Hurtt spent seven seasons in Seattle. For the entirety that Schottenheimer was there, Hurtt was the assistant head coach and defensive line coach, and he was promoted to coordinator when Norton was let go.
Prior to that, though, all of Hurtt’s coaching experience in the NFL had come under Vic Fangio, who he now assists in Philadelphia. A big reason for Hurtt’s promotion to coordinator in Seattle was because Pete Carroll wanted to pivot his defensive scheme to more of the two-high safety looks that Fangio had popularized.
It proved to not be a good fit for Seattle’s aging personnel, but Hurtt is a Fangio disciple with exposure to the Legion of Boom that Schottenheimer seeks to recreate in Dallas. His time in Philadelphia, which has seen a Super Bowl victory and the rapid development of several young defensive linemen, only boosts Hurtt’s stock.
Christian Parker
If Schottenheimer decides he wants to do what nearly everyone else in the league is doing and copy Vic Fangio, there’s another Eagles staffer to poach. Christian Parker is Fangio’s defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator in Philadelphia, and he previously coached in Denver under both Fangio and Ejiro Evero, another Fangio disciple.
Safe to say that Parker is well-versed in the Book of Fangio. Having just turned 34 this past December, Parker is one of the younger position coaches in the league, and many believe he’s on the fast track to a head coaching job. Running his own defense probably has to come before that, and being the one to turn around this Dallas defense would surely escalate that trajectory.
Parker has a knack for player development, too. He welcomed both Patrick Surtain II and Ja’Quan McMillan into the league and helped them grow into difference makers for the Broncos. Last year in Philadelphia, he did the same for rookies Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. That may be exactly what the Cowboys need right now.
Leslie Frazier
One of the names the Cowboys interviewed for their head coaching vacancy before promoting Brian Schottenheimer, Leslie Frazier may get consideration for the defensive coordinator job now. He’s been the assistant head coach for Mike MacDonald, whose Seahawks just clinched the NFC’s top seed and whose defense is fifth in EPA/play allowed over that span.
Prior to his time in Seattle, Frazier was the defensive coordinator for the Bills for six seasons, during which time Buffalo was third in EPA/play allowed. A former head coach himself, Frazier went 3-3 as the Vikings’ interim head coach, earning the permanent job and later reaching the playoffs before being let go after his third full season.
Frazier is a former cornerback, and he led the Bears in interceptions during their historic 1985 Super Bowl run. His reputation as a defensive mind is superb, and the two years he’s spent as MacDonald’s right hand man should only make him more appealing for the Cowboys.
Dennard Wilson
Dennard Wilson has been the Titans’ defensive coordinator for the last two years, but as they search for a new head coach, Wilson seems likely to be looking for another job. His run in Tennessee wasn’t overly impressive, but he also had little in the way of stars outside of Jeffery Simmons.
When Wilson was first hired, he described his philosophy as “attacking” and aspiring to be “violent in our approach.” Similarly, offensive coordinator Klayton Adams used almost identical phrasing to describe his offensive philosophy when he came to Dallas.
Not only would Wilson bring a complementary philosophy to the defense, but he has some history with Schottenheimer. Wilson was part of that Rams staff with Jeff Fisher and Gregg Williams that Schotteheimer was also part of, and Jim Schwartz has also been a big influence on Wilson. Once a rising star in the coaching ranks, Wilson seems likely to have brighter days ahead of him.
Cory Undlin
Only seven teams in NFL history have made the playoffs after starting 0-3, and the Texans are the most recent to do it. A big reason for that was their defense, which finished the year leading the league in EPA/play allowed. Head coach DeMeco Ryans and defensive coordinator Matt Burke have built a dominant defense, but Cory Undlin has been a huge part of that too.
Undlin is the pass game coordinator in Houston, and he was the pass game specialist under Ryans in San Francisco prior to this. He also coached defensive backs under Jim Schwartz while with the Eagles, where he won a Super Bowl.
Between Schwartz and Ryans, Undlin has had a front row seat to some of the most dominant defenses over the last decade. There’s no guarantee he’d be as good as them running his own defense, but it’s certainly something worth gambling on if you’re Dallas.
