3 bold Cowboys coaching changes that could happen this season

There is no group in Dallas that has been excused from criticism in the 2024 season. The Cowboys coaching staff, roster, front office, and ownership have all been hit with waves of displeasure.

The team is now 3-3 and watching Week 7 action from the couch while on their bye week, but a Week 8 road matchup with the San Francisco 49ers is looming large.

Cowboys next 5 games:

at 3-3 49ers
at 4-2 Falcons
vs 3-2 Eagles
vs 5-1 Texans
at 4-2 Commanders

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) October 13, 2024

Dallas is the underdog in that game, and if they lose, it will be the first time since the 2020 season that they did not have a winning record at the halfway point in the year.

At some point, changes have to be made, and the easiest place to make those changes is on the coaching staff. It sends a message to the team, even if it isn’t a firing, and it can truly shake some things up for an under performing unit.

There are numerous Cowboys coaching changes that could accomplish this, but let’s take a look at three specific bold possibilities the organization should consider.

Play Calling Duties Shake Up

Let’s get one thing out of the way first: I don’t see any world where Jerry Jones opts to fire Mike McCarthy during the 2024 season.

Yes, he has fired a head coach during the year once before, but Jones has a genuine respect for what McCarthy has done and with him in the final year of his deal, he will just let him walk if he does not want him back.

That said, it would be silly to not consider some changes in regard to McCarthy if things continue to go the way they are going.

The biggest thing they can do in that regard is take away his play-calling duties.

If you recall, McCarthy did not come to Dallas as the offensive play caller; he took over the role in 2023. It was Kellen Moore, who, as offensive coordinator, was the one running the offense.

Now, former Seahawks OC Brian Schottenheimer has that job, but without calling plays, it seems he holds more of an advisory role.

Cowboys are hiring Brian Schottenheimer, The former Seahawks OC will have a unique role assisting Dan Quinn and Kellen Moore. Schottenheimer’s job will center on league trends and game-planning. ✭ #dallascowboys pic.twitter.com/BaJ5Z39SkD

— The Cowboys Network (@TheCowboysNet) March 24, 2022

If Dallas were to give Schottenheimer the chance to call plays, it could open up the offense completely, as teams would have to prepare for a different approach than what McCarthy has put on film.

Swapping out play callers is a low-risk, high-reward move that Jones must consider if the offense continues to struggle.

Fire Mike Zimmer As Defensive Coordinator

If you were disappointed with me saying Jones wouldn’t fire McCarthy, perhaps this will win you back some.

There is a chance that the organization will cut ties with first-year Defensive Coordinator, Mike Zimmer, during the season.

Do you remember what the narrative was when Zimmer joined the Cowboys coaching staff this offseason? It was details, physicality, and impassioned performance. Has that really taken shape?

Mike Zimmer: “I want to be fundamentally sound in what we do.” pic.twitter.com/U6y7PzzPFX

— Skywalker Steele⚡️ (@SkywalkerSteele) February 12, 2024

Dallas has looked the opposite of all three at points during this season; lacking in the details, unable to out-physical an offense, and playing without any fire.

Zimmer was not brought in on a long-term commitment. The hope was he could make a big impact in a small amount of time on a defense that needed to improve in his areas of strength.

With that seemingly not happening, why should Dallas not pivot with the future in mind?

If this season keeps going the way it is, McCarthy is not going to be brought back, and a new head coach is not keeping his predecessor’s defensive coordinator.

Why not give somebody else the keys in hopes of invigorating the defense and seeing if you have somebody who could be in the running for the head coaching job this offseason?

Promote Al Harris At Long Last

The Cowboys should consider promoting Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Backs coach, Al Harris, to Defensive Coordinator. Fans have been clamoring for it for a while, and the time to make it happen could come during this season.

Harris, 49, has been a rising star on the Cowboys coaching staff ever since he arrived in 2020, and other teams have noticed.

Dan Quinn tried to lure Harris to Washington this offseason, and I see no reason why he won’t continue to get that kind of interest as his career progresses.

So, why not strike first? The Cowboys already promoted Harris this offseason to be the assistant HC, and with Zimmer’s defensive experiment continuing to falter, it makes sense to consider Harris as DC.

𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: #Cowboys Al Harris has been promoted to Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Backs. pic.twitter.com/EbvJQ7ab7E

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 19, 2024

This is a guy who could become a head coach in the NFL in the next five years, and there is no reason why Dallas should not see if he has what it takes as a defensive coordinator.

If the answer to that question comes out to be positive, you may have just found the leading candidate to take over the whole thing in 2025.

If not, at least you tried to spark something on defense, and you are likely able to retain Harris for at least another season.