Dallas Cowboys: 4 possible replacements for Mike Nolan in 2021

The Dallas Cowboys could replace Mike Nolan with one of these four names

The Dallas Cowboys currently possess the worst scoring defense in the NFL, allowing an average of 32.6 points per game to opposing offenses. And at its very heart is first-year defensive coordinator Mike Nolan.

Nolan and his defensive coaching staff turned what was a top-ten defense in 2019, ranking ninth in average yards allowed per game (327.0) and 11th in scoring defense (20.1), into what has a chance to be one of the worst defenses in league history.

If the Cowboys decide to move on from Nolan in 2021, here are four possible candidates to replace him in Big D …

#4 – Wade Phillips

This offseason, new Cowboys’ head coach Mike McCarthy hired both special teams coordinator John “Bones” Fassel and running backs coach Skip Peete previously from the Los Angles Rams’ coaching staff. Why not now add a third (later, a fourth)? And this one happens to be a former Cowboys’ head coach.

While Wade Phillips’s stint as head coach of America’s Team flamed out after three and a half seasons (2007-2010), his skills as a defensive coordinator shined long after. The 73-year old Phillips has since been the defensive coordinator for the Houston Texans, Denver Broncos, and the Rams.

While in Los Angeles, Phillips helped to lead the Rams to a Super Bowl just two years ago, where his defense limited the New England Patriots to a mere 13 points in the big game.

Under Phillips, the Rams ranked 13th in the NFL last season in average yardage allowed to opposing offenses (339.6). They allowed 22.8 points (17th), 226.6 passing yards (12th), and 113.1 rushing yards (19th) per game in 2019.

Currently out of the NFL, Phillips believes he can still help some team. Why not the struggling Cowboys?