The Dallas Cowboys have announced the hiring of Brian Schottenheimer as their new head coach, and reports quickly surfaced about their choice for defensive coordinator. The team is set to reunite with former assistant coach Matt Eberflus, who will take on the role of defensive coordinator for the upcoming season.
Eberflus is no stranger to the Cowboys, having spent seven seasons with the team as a linebackers coach from 2011 to 2017. His return marks a significant shift, as the Cowboys originally considered promoting him to defensive coordinator after the 2017 season to succeed the aging Rod Marinelli. However, Eberflus declined the offer, choosing not to undermine his mentor. Instead, he opted to join the Indianapolis Colts as their defensive coordinator under then-head coach Josh McDaniels.
During his tenure with the Colts, Eberflus earned a reputation as one of the league’s top defensive minds. Under his leadership in the 2020 and 2021 seasons, the Colts’ defense became the NFL’s only unit to rank in the top ten in scoring defense, run defense, and takeaways during that span. Throughout his four years in Indianapolis, the Colts consistently maintained a top-10 ranking in turnovers and run defense, solidifying Eberflus’ standing as a defensive innovator.
After his success in Indianapolis, Eberflus transitioned to the head coaching role for the Chicago Bears, a tenure that proved to be a challenging chapter in his career. Over three seasons, he managed a 14-32 record, including a franchise-record 14-game losing streak. His time with the Bears came to an abrupt end midway through the 2024 season following a high-profile clock management error during a Thanksgiving game against the Detroit Lions.
Eberflus now returns to Dallas, stepping into a pivotal role as the team’s third defensive coordinator in as many seasons. His primary task will be to revamp the defense and maximize the potential of star players like Micah Parsons, whose versatility and talent can be game-changing when strategically deployed.
This move comes on the heels of Mike Zimmer’s one-year stint as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator during the 2024 season, a tenure that has now concluded. The specifics of Eberflus’ contract with Dallas have not yet been disclosed, but the move signals the franchise’s intent to establish long-term stability and excellence on the defensive side of the ball.
