The Dallas Cowboys had a real chance to galvanize fans after they parted ways with Mike McCarthy. Even though it wasn't a stacked coaching pool, the masses believe they could have done a lot better than Brian Schottenheimer, who was announced as the team's head coach on Friday night.
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While the hire has received universal backlash that will continue into and beyond the weekend, there is reason to believe Schottenheimer will make a better head coach than offensive coordinator.
Given Schottenheimer's ability to command a room, Cowboys fans may actually warm up to the hire at his introductory press conference on Monday. Still, though, it is impossible to sell that the answer to the team's problems was in the building the whole time.
The success of Schottenheimer's tenure will hinge on his play-calling, assuming he's afforded that luxury, as well as the coaching staff he surrounds himself with will be imperative. The latter might be more important.
Well, Dallas is already closing in on hiring a new defensive coordinator.
Cowboys reportedly targeting Matt Eberflus as Brian Schottenheimer's defensive coordinator
An initial report from Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram stated the Cowboys already hired Matt Eberflus as their new defensive coordinator.
However, Harris clarified that a hire has not been made, though the two sides are in discussions for Eberflus to get the job. The Cowboys seemingly still have to go through the interview process with Eberflus, but he is widely considered the favorite amongst team reporters to get the job.
We know how Jerry Jones loves familiarity in his coaches. Well, Eberflus has a long history with Dallas, serving as a defensive assistant under Rod Marinelli on Jason Garrett's staff from 2011 to 2017. He was the linebackers coach for the entirety of his tenure.
The Cowboys thought so highly of Eberflus that they wanted to promote him to defensive coordinator, but Eberflus didn't want to oust Marinelli, who was his mentor. Eberflus was then hired away to be the Colts' defensive coordinator.
As much vitriol that is permeating after the Scottenheimer bombshell, Eberflus as defensive coordinator is absolutely a move Cowboys fans can get behind. While he was in over his head as the Bears' head coach, he is still one of the premier defensive minds in football.
In his four years as the Colts' defensive coordinator, his units finished top-10 in points allowed three times, as well as top-10 in takeaways and rushing yards allowed all four years.
It will be interesting to see if other names emerge for the DC job, but as it stands Eberflus is the consensus favorite.