FRISCO, Texas – Dallas Cowboys took the first simple step toward fixing the last scoring defense of the 2025 season (30.1 ppg allowed): firing of defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus on Tuesday.
Before Dallas makes any significant changes to their defense, they will need a new defensive coordinator to work with to ensure the best fit between the scheme and personnel. The Cowboys plan to begin the hiring process for their new defensive coordinator by the end of the week, and Dallas chief operating officer Stephen Jones says that's when they'll be sending out interview requests to candidates who don't have the playoff games they're currently preparing for. As the Cowboys enter 2026 with their fourth DC in as many seasons, it's critical that Dallas hires correctly, especially since owner and general manager Jerry Jones is 83 years old.
“We have to do a better job of dealing with the changes we need to make of our own accord. We have to do a better job of choosing who goes in there,” Jerry Jones said Wednesday. “Brian, again, will be actively involved in this process, just as he was last year when we made these changes. We will do a very intensive, complete and focused job of replacing the Eberflus and any holes that are left there due to the work of the Flus.
Following the Cowboys' Week 16 home loss to Los Angeles ChargersJerry Jones hinted that hiring Eberflus was more his call than first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer's decision in 2025. This is remarkable considering most NFL The head coaches have the final say in choosing a coordinator.
“Ultimately, you point the finger at yourself for who hired Matt Eberflus,” Jones said in Week 16. “It's easy to say you could have done something differently, but it depends on the territory. Every time you make a final decision, you need to look at it and weigh it.”
So will Schottenheimer or Jerry be chosen as the next defensive coordinator? If we take Jones at his word after cracking a geopolitical joke to make it clear he's in charge of the Cowboys, the next defensive coordinator appointment will be a collaborative effort.
“Trump is just said this: “I control it [Venezuela]“Seriously, Schotti had a lot to do with hiring Matt Eberflus last time. There is no way he would be here if Shotti didn't want him here. Let me make this clear, but I especially played a role when we got him. [Eberflus] came in and I was in awe of the uniqueness of his staff.”
Dallas' last five defensive coordinators – Rod Marinelli (2014-2019), Mike Nolan (2020), Dan Quinn (2021-2023), Mike Zimmer (2024) and Eberflus (2025) – were all former NFL head coaches. Jerry Jones said the Cowboys' next defensive coordinator doesn't have to be a former head coach, and he also said he's open to the team hiring a first-time NFL coordinator for the role.
What does Schottenheimer want in his next defensive coordinator? Conclusions, communication skills and flexibility in planning.
“Staff flows create momentum. This is a game changer. … I think we need a teacher. I like what Jerry said. We want to create a broad network of candidates and find someone who will be a great teacher and a great communicator,” Schottenheimer said Wednesday. … “We need guys who can present complex information in a simple manner. … The best coaches, in my opinion, are flexible. So we're not going to categorize ourselves and say, “Hey, we should be 3-4, four under.” [linemen] or whatever it is. I was in the West Coast system, figure [play calling] system [on offense]. Hell, I played as Steve Spurrier in Fun and Gun, right? Good coaches take the players they have, they have personality. They take their players and fit them into a mold that suits them well.”
So who could the Cowboys look to to fill their defensive coordinator vacancy? Here's a look at four potential candidates.
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Tyler Sullivan
Brian Flores: Vikings defensive coordinator
The Minnesota Vikings have thrived under the complex scheme of Brian Flores, who posted the highest sack rate in the NFL this season (49.5%) and helped Minnesota rack up 49 sacks, fourth-most in the league. His coaching was even more impressive when he noted how fierce the defender is JJ McCarthy spent his first season as the team's starter in 2025. McCarthy ranked last in the NFL in completion percentage (57.6%), touchdown-to-interception ratio (0.9; 11 touchdowns, 12 interceptions) and passer rating (72.6).
Giving Flores the top-10 offense on the other side of the ball that Dallas had in his first year under Schottenheimer would allow him to be even more creative and increase his chances of making big-time plays. Schottenheimer also regularly praised Flores' coaching in the lead-up to and after the Vikings' 34-26 win over the Cowboys in Week 15. Flores is a former NFL head coach, and if he is passed over again this year, the creativity and flexibility of his scheme will be exactly what Dallas is looking for in its next defensive coordinator.
“Brian Flores was better than me today and I won't be able to sleep well tonight, but I promise you I'm going to wake up tomorrow and work as hard as I can and figure it out,” Schottenheimer said after the game after facing Flores' Minnesota defense.
Jonathan Gannon: ex Cardinals head coach
The Arizona Cardinals fired Jonathan Gannon as their head coach on Monday, but he was previously the team's defensive coordinator. Philadelphia Eagles during their 2022 run Super Bowl LVII, when they were three points short of Patrick Mahomes' Kansas City Chiefs in a 38-35 loss. As an Eagles player, he obviously knows the NFC East. Gannon coached alongside current Cowboys offensive coordinator Clayton Adams when they were both assistants on the staff. Indianapolis Coltsand Gannon hired him as the Cardinals' offensive line coach.
Raheem Morris: former Falcons head coach
Before he was fired as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Raheem Morris was Los Angeles Ramsdefensive coordinator from 2021 to 2023. The Rams are Super Bowl LVI champions and end the 2021 NFL season with Morris as their DC. That same year, he coached one of the best defensive backs of all time, winning NFL Defensive Player of the Year three times. Aaron Donald. He'll be an All-Pro in Dallas. Quinnen Williamsthree-time Pro Bowler Kenny Clark and upcoming Osa Odighizuwa.
Morris also served as defensive backs coach, secondary coach and defensive passing game coordinator. NFL teamsSo he has the experience to help Dallas turn around the NFL's worst pass defense in 2025, which allowed 251.5 passing yards per game.
Jim Leonhard: Broncos assistant coach/passing game coordinator
Schottenheimer and Jim Leonhard's relationship goes back to their time working with New York Jets over 15 years ago, where Schottenheimer was offensive coordinator (2008-2011) and Leonhard played safety (2008-2011). Leonhard was the defensive coordinator at the college level at his alma mater, the University of Wisconsin (2017-2022), and even served as interim head coach in 2022. He has been with the Broncos since the 2024 season and earned the additional title of assistant head coach in 2025. If current Denver defensive coordinator Vance Joseph doesn't get the head coaching job, Leonhard could be friendly and become the Cowboys' new defensive coordinator.
“Yeah, I saw Jim before we played Denver. Jim is a damn good football coach. You're talking about just a great football player. We had some great years together in New York,” Schottenheimer said. … “You should talk to that Sean [Payton] and what all the staff did there, and [defensive coordinator] I obviously respect Vance Joseph. So Jim is a great coach.”
Aden Durde: Seahawks defensive coordinator
Aden Durde and Schottenheimer crossed paths on Mike McCarthy's coaching staff when Durde served as defensive line coach under Dan Quinn from 2021 to 2023, helping develop the team. Micah Parsons in All-Pro. Derde left Dallas to become the defensive coordinator of the Seattle Seahawks under head coach Mike McDonald, but McDonald is in charge of the defensive line. Returning to the Cowboys would be a promotion for Durde in terms of job responsibilities, even though his title will remain defensive coordinator.
