Cowboys Losing Linebackers Coach Matt Eberflus to Colts

8 years ago
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Matt Eberflus, Sean Lee

Multiple sources are reporting Matt Eberflus — who has been the linebackers coach and passing game coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys — will leave to join the Indianapolis Colts as the new defensive coordinator. Eberflus has been with Dallas since 2011, having joined Rob Ryan’s staff when Ryan become the coordinator for the Cowboys’ defense.

He has been the linebackers coach during his entire Dallas tenure and was also named passing game coordinator in 2016.

If not the Colts, some thought Matt Eberflus might end up replacing Matt Patricia as the defensive coordinator in New England. Either way, it does not appear Dallas could have kept him around while Rod Marinelli remains in his current position.

Eberflus’ work in Dallas speaks for itself, and primarily through LB Sean Lee.

He has been Lee’s position coach for all but his rookie season, and in that time Lee has been one of the top defensive players in all of football.

Beyond Lee, Eberflus has also been able to get quality play out of mid-round picks like Anthony Hitchens and Damien Wilson. We also saw Jaylon Smith make significant progress this season.

Given Matt Eberflus has never worked with Josh McDaniels before, the fact he was on the Colts’ radar says a lot.

Make no mistake; the Cowboys lost a good one here.

Don’t panic, however. Coach Marinelli has cast a very wide net during his time in the NFL and there are a lot of potential guys, some with plenty of experience, that Dallas might look to.

It’s entirely possible that Eberflus’ replacement will be someone who Marinelli spends 2018 grooming to take over as the defensive coordinator.

Still, of all the coaching changes so far for Dallas, this one hurts most.

Jess Haynie

Jess Haynie

Cowboys fan since 1992, blogger since 2011. Bringing you the objectivity of an outside perspective with the passion of a die-hard fan. I love to talk to my readers, so please comment on any article and I'll be sure to respond!

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oneputter
oneputter
Jan 16, 2018 12:17 PM

we continue to do things to ruin this organization even more……how do you not stick with youth over the “tired” marinelli and his outdated schemes? un-frkn believable!!!

how do the jones’ just sit and watch teams get better while we waste away? they obviously don’t care about winning, it’s very clear.

we should have new coordinators for the upcoming year.

Randy Martin
Randy Martin
Jan 16, 2018 2:19 PM

From what I had read elsewhere even if Marinelli retired, Eberflus would not have taken the DC position here because he didn’t want to feel a part of pushing Marinelli into retirement out of respect for him. That being said, we surely cannot believe that Eberflus is the only guy in the league that can do that job. I don’t know what the heck he does as passing game coordinator when you are defensive coach. Everybody is calling for change and change is coming so we have to just wait and see what it brings about. What we can all hope for is if things don’t turn around in 2018, we will see the coaching staff changes we clamored for.

oneputter
oneputter
Jan 16, 2018 3:14 PM
Reply to  Randy Martin

yeah i read that story but so what, it happens all the time. coaches get old, coaches move on and others take over…..out of respect, IMO, RM should step aside and let the young man take over.

no we can’t say whether ME is the one or not but i do think the game has past marinelli, he fails to adapt, he fails to make changes, his scheme doesn’t work. when you continue to try and substitute players from down to down and consistently get beat for having too many men on the field, something has to change.

we run the same blitz over and over and it rarely works. we run the same twisting stunt, teams know this and just sit and wait for the DE to loop around……its pathetic at times to watch.

i wouldn’t mind seeing jack del rio here as our DC.

i guess that is all we can do…..wait and see.

Randy Martin
Randy Martin
Jan 16, 2018 4:12 PM
Reply to  oneputter

I don’t know what Del Rio’s plans are for this season. The only thing I had seen on him was the possibility of going to Cincinatti for the DC job but that has been taken by Teryl Austin. So here’s a thought. Since it seems they were ready to to promote Marinelli to Assistant Head Coach (golden watch job) to keep Eberflus, how about doing that and bring in Del Rio as the DC. While he hasn’t had the greatest success as a HC, he is a great DC.

oneputter
oneputter
Jan 16, 2018 4:48 PM
Reply to  Randy Martin

I’m on board with that. I feel he would make a great DC here.

Jorge Sure
Jorge Sure
Jan 16, 2018 5:56 PM
Reply to  Randy Martin

I agree that DEL RIO would be a significant change but JJ has already said do not open up changes so open up to endure another or many seasons with JG leading DALLAS … we are like CLEVELAND honestly just participating and watching as many teams advance more than us

Keith Jones
Keith Jones
Jan 17, 2018 8:52 AM

I love and respect Coach Marinelli but a new perceptive is needed the cover two of chicago, Tampa Bay the old Tampa 2 is out dated we need a fresh set of eyes a blend of Seattle, jacksonville & Minnesota hybrid but you need the horse to run something like that plus do away with multiple players to switch in and out today’s NFL veterans quarterbacks take advantage of you switching players in an out other than your defensive line everybody else needs to have stamina run everyday all day long no hamstring hiccups run run run get better, stronger

Hector Espindola
Hector Espindola
Jan 17, 2018 11:52 AM

This seems no good, especially when Jaylon has to flourish asap in the face of Lee’s injuries and when you need the fully command of Hitchens by the same reason. Their development can face a setback!!! On the other hand, the loss of a future DC reveals that time is up for the current coaching staff or that there is a breaking point between coaches.

dallas1966
dallas1966
Jan 18, 2018 3:10 AM

I would like to see the Cowboys bring in Kris Richards, and Ray Horton to the defensive mix, to eventually, take after Marinelli steps down. At least, it would be fresh and innovative, thinking outside of the box.

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