In the NFL, as with all professional sports, it’s a “What have you done for me lately?” kind of mentality. That might not be a good thing for Dallas Cowboys Defensive Backs Coach/Passing Game Coordinator Kris Richard.
Things change quickly in the NFL. One minute you’re considered among the best up-and-coming head coach candidates and the next thing you know that’s no longer the case because your reputation takes a bit of a hit. That could be the position Kris Richard finds himself in now.
We all know the Dallas Cowboys defense has taken a huge step back in the Kris Richard’s second year with the Cowboys. I could throw all kinds of statistics at you comparing Dallas’ defense this year compared to last, but I don’t think that’s necessary. We’ve all seen how poorly they’ve played this season.
Now, Defensive Coordinator Rod Marinelli should definitely shoulder a lot of the blame as well, but that doesn’t help Richard’s tarnished reputation. It’s that reputation that could cause organizations searching for their next head coach to look elsewhere this offseason, including the Dallas Cowboys.
There is a large contingent of Cowboys Nation who were hoping Kris Richard was Jason Garrett’s heir apparent as the Dallas Cowboys next head coach when he was hired almost 2 years ago. But with the way the team is struggling now and Garrett’s suspected firing at the end of the season, Richard no longer looks like a HC candidate for Jerry Jones.
This is all speculation on my part, but I believe if Jerry Jones truly thought Kris Richard was a serious candidate to replace Jason Garrett he would have likely been named the intern HC after the loss the Buffalo Bills on Thanksgiving. The fact he didn’t though suggests to me Dallas’ Owner/GM will look elsewhere.
I don’t know about you, but I think that’s another shot to Kris Richard’s reputation. If you add that to the Cowboys struggling defense, it’s hard to believe Richard hasn’t been knocked down a peg or two on that up-and-coming head coaching candidate list. Like I mentioned earlier, it’s a “What have you done for me lately?” mentality in the NFL.
I feel for Kris Richard, but I believe he will get a shot at a head-coaching gig in the not-too-distant future. Unfortunately, he will probably have to rebuild his once popular reputation that has taken a pretty big hit with the Dallas Cowboys in 2019. I think he’s up to the task though.
