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Reggie Herring's Cowboys departure is Rob Ryan's gain
By GERRY FRALEY / The Dallas Morning News
Published 21 January 2011 12:49 AM
Reggie Herring’s departure to the Houston Texans on Thursday gives new Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan the chance to add a close associate to coach linebackers.
Don “Wink” Martindale has a relationship with the Ryan family that began when he worked with twin brother Rex Ryan at the University of Cincinnati in 1996-97. Martindale handled linebackers with Oakland from 2004 to ’09, when Ryan was the Raiders’ defensive coordinator.
Martindale spent the last two seasons with Denver. He coached linebackers in 2009 and added the responsibility of defensive coordinator this season. As the Broncos’ defense struggled under the weight of injuries this season, Ryan called Martindale “my pretty good buddy {ellipsis} a [heck] of a coach.”
Martindale has not yet visited the Cowboys for a job interview.
Matt Eberflus is also a candidate for the job. He coached linebackers during Ryan’s two seasons as Cleveland’s defensive coordinator.
Eberflus is under contract to the Browns for one more season. Cleveland has not given other clubs permission to interview Eberflus because it wants the next defensive coordinator to decide if he should be retained.
Eberflus has the pedigree that appeals to Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett. Eberflus played for Nick Saban at Toledo. Garrett worked on Saban’s staff with the Miami Dolphins in 2005-06 and holds him in the highest regard.
Ryan had no connection to Eberflus before adding him to his staff with the Browns. Based upon comments during his news conferences last season, Ryan developed a quick affection for Eberflus.
When asked about the rotation at linebacker, Ryan said , “ It goes to Matt Eberflus, who I think is the top linebacker coach in football.”
When asked about Chris Gocong’s development as an inside linebacker in the 3-4 defense, Ryan said. “I brag about my Matt Eberflus, but that guy is a phenomenal coach. [Gocong] has made unbelievable strides. A lot of that credit goes to Matt Eberflus.”
The Texans did not make an official announcement on adding Herring, but his hiring was reported by multiple media outlets.
Herring handled linebackers with the Cowboys for the last three seasons. He will be reunited with former Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips, recently named defensive coordinator with Houston. Phillips brought Herring to the Cowboys.
Herring is the third coach to leave the club since the end of the season. Paul Pasqualoni, the interim defensive coordinator and line coach, moved to the University of Connecticut as head coach. Garrett decided not to renew the expiring contract of receivers coach Ray Sherman.
The Cowboys have interviewed Denver receivers coach Adam Gase. He also bears the Saban seal of approval. Gase spent seven years on Saban’s staffs at Michigan State and LSU.
Briefly: Long snapper L.P. Ladouceur will not join punter Mat McBriar at the Pro Bowl. The Cowboys had hoped Ladouceur would be chosen after a season in which he had 181 unerring snaps. Atlanta coach Mike Smith, who will handle the NFC team, went with Zak DeOssie of the New York Giants. He had 182 unerring snaps. {ellipsis} By finishing with a worse record than Miami, the Cowboys get nothing for the deal that sent offensive lineman Pat McQuistan to the Dolphins. Had the Dolphins finished with a worse record than the Cowboys, the clubs would have swapped spots in the sixth round of the April draft. McQuistan started eight games at guard.
By GERRY FRALEY / The Dallas Morning News
Published 21 January 2011 12:49 AM
Reggie Herring’s departure to the Houston Texans on Thursday gives new Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan the chance to add a close associate to coach linebackers.
Don “Wink” Martindale has a relationship with the Ryan family that began when he worked with twin brother Rex Ryan at the University of Cincinnati in 1996-97. Martindale handled linebackers with Oakland from 2004 to ’09, when Ryan was the Raiders’ defensive coordinator.
Martindale spent the last two seasons with Denver. He coached linebackers in 2009 and added the responsibility of defensive coordinator this season. As the Broncos’ defense struggled under the weight of injuries this season, Ryan called Martindale “my pretty good buddy {ellipsis} a [heck] of a coach.”
Martindale has not yet visited the Cowboys for a job interview.
Matt Eberflus is also a candidate for the job. He coached linebackers during Ryan’s two seasons as Cleveland’s defensive coordinator.
Eberflus is under contract to the Browns for one more season. Cleveland has not given other clubs permission to interview Eberflus because it wants the next defensive coordinator to decide if he should be retained.
Eberflus has the pedigree that appeals to Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett. Eberflus played for Nick Saban at Toledo. Garrett worked on Saban’s staff with the Miami Dolphins in 2005-06 and holds him in the highest regard.
Ryan had no connection to Eberflus before adding him to his staff with the Browns. Based upon comments during his news conferences last season, Ryan developed a quick affection for Eberflus.
When asked about the rotation at linebacker, Ryan said , “ It goes to Matt Eberflus, who I think is the top linebacker coach in football.”
When asked about Chris Gocong’s development as an inside linebacker in the 3-4 defense, Ryan said. “I brag about my Matt Eberflus, but that guy is a phenomenal coach. [Gocong] has made unbelievable strides. A lot of that credit goes to Matt Eberflus.”
The Texans did not make an official announcement on adding Herring, but his hiring was reported by multiple media outlets.
Herring handled linebackers with the Cowboys for the last three seasons. He will be reunited with former Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips, recently named defensive coordinator with Houston. Phillips brought Herring to the Cowboys.
Herring is the third coach to leave the club since the end of the season. Paul Pasqualoni, the interim defensive coordinator and line coach, moved to the University of Connecticut as head coach. Garrett decided not to renew the expiring contract of receivers coach Ray Sherman.
The Cowboys have interviewed Denver receivers coach Adam Gase. He also bears the Saban seal of approval. Gase spent seven years on Saban’s staffs at Michigan State and LSU.
Briefly: Long snapper L.P. Ladouceur will not join punter Mat McBriar at the Pro Bowl. The Cowboys had hoped Ladouceur would be chosen after a season in which he had 181 unerring snaps. Atlanta coach Mike Smith, who will handle the NFC team, went with Zak DeOssie of the New York Giants. He had 182 unerring snaps. {ellipsis} By finishing with a worse record than Miami, the Cowboys get nothing for the deal that sent offensive lineman Pat McQuistan to the Dolphins. Had the Dolphins finished with a worse record than the Cowboys, the clubs would have swapped spots in the sixth round of the April draft. McQuistan started eight games at guard.
