The Dallas Cowboys are promoting Brian Schottenheimer to head coach, making his first defensive hire — potentially defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus — all the more important.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0Dallas Cowboys\u00a0put themselves behind the eight ball for its procrastination of former head coach\u00a0Mike McCarthy\u2019s contract extension, destining themselves to subpar hiring process.<\/p>\n
The fruits of that labor landed on offensive coordinator\u00a0Brian Schottenheimer\u00a0being promoted to head coach. He doesn\u2019t have to be defined by the poor process that preceded his hire, but it will shape the perception of his first impression on the job.<\/p>\n
Already late to the staff-building part of the process, Schottenheimer turned heads by potentially hiring Matt Eberflus as defensive coordinator, according to\u00a0Ed Werder.<\/p>\n
Eberflus\u2019 time in Chicago ended after a clock management gaffe wasted an opportunity to beat the\u00a0Detroit Lions\u00a0on Thanksgiving, the last of a series of inexcusable breakdowns that spoiled a once-promising Bears season. However, Eberflus won\u2019t be responsible for managing the clock or disciplining players.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s in\u00a0Dallas\u00a0– assuming one revealed problem is cleared up –\u00a0to make defensive play calls and turn a handful of dynamic talents into a cohesive unit. On that front, there\u2019s reason to believe Eberflus will find success in Dallas.<\/p>\n
Before Chicago, he was the defensive coordinator with the\u00a0Indianapolis Colts\u00a0from 2018\u20132021. There, his defenses ranked ninth, 17th, ninth, and 13th, respectively, in\u00a0expected points added per play. Notably, this came without a cast of stars \u2013 particularly on the edge.<\/p>\n
Eberflus didn\u2019t blitz his way out of trouble, like former coordinator Dan Quinn might have. He largely relied on stunts, sending four and dropping into zone coverage. That trend largely carried over to Chicago, where his bend-don\u2019t-break defense played more\u00a0Cover 3\u00a0than much of the league, largely thanks to Eberflus\u2019 Tampa 2 identity.<\/p>\n
That makes a decent amount of sense for a team with an athletic back seven and two starting corners known for their ability to create turnovers (DaRon Bland, especially, in zone).<\/p>\n
Eberflus has also spent time in Dallas, coaching the linebackers from 2011\u20132017 and adding passing game coordinator to his resume for his final two seasons. He left America\u2019s Team for Indianapolis as to not push Rod Marinelli out of the defensive coordinator spot.<\/p>\n
The Cowboys need to clear up the issue of the Rooney Rule before making this move official; some argue that their recent interview with Robert Saleh doubles as both a visit for the head coaching job and the coordinator job.<\/p>\n
Also worth noting: during coaches time as an assistant in Dallas, he at one point had a chance to interview with the 49ers\u2026 I\u2019ll move that was blocked by Dallas, much to his unhappiness.<\/p>\n
Before the Cowboys, Eberflus coached with the\u00a0Cleveland Browns, Missouri, and Toledo, building a coaching career that shouldn\u2019t be overlooked because of a poor stint in Chicago.<\/p>\n
It isn\u2019t immediately clear how much of Eberflus\u2019 defensive staff will join him in Dallas, but having a coordinator who has been through the wringer as a head coach is helpful for Schottenheimer as he descends upon uncharted territory.<\/p>\n
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