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So Now What?
Expect More Staff Changes Next Week
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas - With the big news now out of the way, let the real fun begin.
Sure, the naming of Jason Garrett, while predictable and deserving, was the biggest news of the offseason thus far, the next part is when things will get really interesting.
What about the rest of the coaching staff?
Garrett and owner/GM Jerry Jones didn't provide any answers to that in their Thursday press conference at Cowboys Stadium. And all was quiet on that front on Friday, which was also rather predictable considering the AT&T Cotton Bowl is taking center stage Friday night at Cowboys Stadium.
But once next week gets here, look for things to heat up again.
Obviously, the head coaching decision had to start first. Well, maybe that wasn't the case in 2007 when Garrett was hired before Wade Phillips, but you get the idea.
In this case, it did start at the top. Garrett was named and since Jones made it clear that Garrett will get "final say" in his coaching staff, then it probably won't be too long before decisions are made.
The Cowboys were asked permission by the Houston Texans, who recently hired Wade Phillips as defensive coordinator, to meet with linebackers coach Reggie Herring for perhaps the same role in Houston. The Cowboys chose not to grant permission as of Friday, and for now, Herring will remain on staff. However, it's more of a timing issue as the Cowboys and Garrett are still weighing all of their options. There was some speculation that Phillips would also look to hire Brett Maxie, who is currently the team's safety coach.
Both Herring and Maxie are under contract for the 2011 seasons.
The Cowboys do have four coaches whose contracts expire here in the next few days. Leading that list is wide receiver coach Ray Sherman, one of two candidates who had formal interviews with Jones for the head coaching job.
Other coaches who aren't currently under contract for 2011 include the brother of the head coach, tight end John Garrett, kicking coach Chris Boniol and quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson.
Since Garrett said he will continue to call plays and remain the offensive coordinator, one would assume he wouldn't be looking to make major changes on offense.
If Sherman was qualified enough to interview for head coach, it would make sense he would at least return to his post as receivers coach. Wilson, in his second tour of duty as a Cowboys coach, has been steadily working to improve the mechanics of Stephen McGee, who was able to showcase some of that at the end of this season.
As for John Garrett, his family ties alone would make him a logical return. In Thursday's press conference, Jones referenced the fact Jason Garrett has two brothers - Judd in scouting and John on the staff - to help with the lines of communication.
And before the end of the season, Boniol expressed a desire to return in 2011. Although kicker David Buehler was inconsistent at times, he did show vast improvements this year and Boniol's expertise was a big reason for that.
There is also a decision to be made at defensive coordinator. Paul Pasqualoni, who began the season as the defensive line coach, took over in midseason as the defensive coordinator, replacing Phillips.
In the last eight games, the defense did slightly improve in points allowed, going from 29.4 to 25.7 by the end of the season. And along the way, the Cowboys did score all four of their defensive touchdowns over the second half of the schedule.
Whether or not the Cowboys decide to hire a new defensive coordinator, it wouldn't exactly spell the end for Pasqualoni. While the veteran coach certainly has experience, he can match that with versatility. Since arriving in Dallas on Bill Parcells' staff in 2005, he has coached the tight ends, linebackers and defensive ends, along with two seasons in Miami as defensive coordinator.
While Pasqualoni could stay in some capacity, it also might be as defensive coordinator. However, there has also been wide speculation that Todd Bowles, who interviewed with Jones on Wednesday for the head coaching vacancy, could be a possibility for defensive coordinator, if and when he is let go by the Dolphins.
And although Miami heavily courted Jim Harbaugh to replace Tony Sparano as the head coach, it appears the Dolphins will keep Sparano for now and the assistants, including Bowles, will likely stay put.
Of course, everything is subject to change. And come Monday, we'll probably start to see a lot of them.
Expect More Staff Changes Next Week
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas - With the big news now out of the way, let the real fun begin.
Sure, the naming of Jason Garrett, while predictable and deserving, was the biggest news of the offseason thus far, the next part is when things will get really interesting.
What about the rest of the coaching staff?
Garrett and owner/GM Jerry Jones didn't provide any answers to that in their Thursday press conference at Cowboys Stadium. And all was quiet on that front on Friday, which was also rather predictable considering the AT&T Cotton Bowl is taking center stage Friday night at Cowboys Stadium.
But once next week gets here, look for things to heat up again.
Obviously, the head coaching decision had to start first. Well, maybe that wasn't the case in 2007 when Garrett was hired before Wade Phillips, but you get the idea.
In this case, it did start at the top. Garrett was named and since Jones made it clear that Garrett will get "final say" in his coaching staff, then it probably won't be too long before decisions are made.
The Cowboys were asked permission by the Houston Texans, who recently hired Wade Phillips as defensive coordinator, to meet with linebackers coach Reggie Herring for perhaps the same role in Houston. The Cowboys chose not to grant permission as of Friday, and for now, Herring will remain on staff. However, it's more of a timing issue as the Cowboys and Garrett are still weighing all of their options. There was some speculation that Phillips would also look to hire Brett Maxie, who is currently the team's safety coach.
Both Herring and Maxie are under contract for the 2011 seasons.
The Cowboys do have four coaches whose contracts expire here in the next few days. Leading that list is wide receiver coach Ray Sherman, one of two candidates who had formal interviews with Jones for the head coaching job.
Other coaches who aren't currently under contract for 2011 include the brother of the head coach, tight end John Garrett, kicking coach Chris Boniol and quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson.
Since Garrett said he will continue to call plays and remain the offensive coordinator, one would assume he wouldn't be looking to make major changes on offense.
If Sherman was qualified enough to interview for head coach, it would make sense he would at least return to his post as receivers coach. Wilson, in his second tour of duty as a Cowboys coach, has been steadily working to improve the mechanics of Stephen McGee, who was able to showcase some of that at the end of this season.
As for John Garrett, his family ties alone would make him a logical return. In Thursday's press conference, Jones referenced the fact Jason Garrett has two brothers - Judd in scouting and John on the staff - to help with the lines of communication.
And before the end of the season, Boniol expressed a desire to return in 2011. Although kicker David Buehler was inconsistent at times, he did show vast improvements this year and Boniol's expertise was a big reason for that.
There is also a decision to be made at defensive coordinator. Paul Pasqualoni, who began the season as the defensive line coach, took over in midseason as the defensive coordinator, replacing Phillips.
In the last eight games, the defense did slightly improve in points allowed, going from 29.4 to 25.7 by the end of the season. And along the way, the Cowboys did score all four of their defensive touchdowns over the second half of the schedule.
Whether or not the Cowboys decide to hire a new defensive coordinator, it wouldn't exactly spell the end for Pasqualoni. While the veteran coach certainly has experience, he can match that with versatility. Since arriving in Dallas on Bill Parcells' staff in 2005, he has coached the tight ends, linebackers and defensive ends, along with two seasons in Miami as defensive coordinator.
While Pasqualoni could stay in some capacity, it also might be as defensive coordinator. However, there has also been wide speculation that Todd Bowles, who interviewed with Jones on Wednesday for the head coaching vacancy, could be a possibility for defensive coordinator, if and when he is let go by the Dolphins.
And although Miami heavily courted Jim Harbaugh to replace Tony Sparano as the head coach, it appears the Dolphins will keep Sparano for now and the assistants, including Bowles, will likely stay put.
Of course, everything is subject to change. And come Monday, we'll probably start to see a lot of them.
