FRISCO, Texas — Matt Eberflus, the newly appointed defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, didn’t entertain the idea of staying away from coaching after his dismissal from the Chicago Bears. In fact, the urgency to get back into the game was fueled by his wife, Kelly. Eberflus stated during his initial press conference since joining the Cowboys, “She told me she wanted me to work right away, and I felt the same way.”
At 57 years old, Eberflus finds himself back in Dallas, a city where his career flourished. He spent seven years on the Cowboys’ defensive staff from 2011 to 2017, which eventually led him to a defensive coordinator role with the Indianapolis Colts. Four years later, he took the reins as head coach of the Bears, but his tenure ended after just 12 games into his third season, following a string of losses linked to his clock management errors. His overall record with Chicago was 14 wins against 32 losses.
Reflecting on his time away, Eberflus expressed anticipation rather than despondence. He mentioned, “After a few days and weeks off, I was excited about new possibilities and felt that returning to Dallas was the best opportunity available. I recognize many familiar faces here, from the top down throughout the organization.”
Now stepping into a new role, Eberflus will be working under first-time head coach Brian Schottenheimer, who has taken over for Mike McCarthy after the Cowboys failed to advance past the NFC championship game for five consecutive seasons. The last time the Cowboys reached that pinnacle was during the 1995 season when they celebrated their fifth Super Bowl victory.
Eberflus has personal experience of the playoff frustrations; he remembers how the Dallas defense struggled to secure a win in critical moments against the Green Bay Packers, contributing to their playoff failures in both 2014 and 2016. With that history, he aims to assist Schottenheimer in breaking this streak of disappointing finishes.
“I assured him in our initial meetings, ‘I’m here for you,’” Eberflus conveyed. “I aim to collaborate, share my experiences, and help make his transition smoother.” Four of Eberflus’s former assistants from his time in Chicago will be joining him: Andre Curtis as defensive passing game coordinator, Dave Borgonzi as linebackers coach, David Overstreet II for secondary and cornerbacks, and Bryan Bing to assist with the defensive line.
Additionally, Darian Thompson, a former Dallas player, remains on the defensive staff, now aiding Overstreet in the secondary after previously working with the linebackers. The new faces include Aaron Whitecotton as defensive line coach, along with assistants J.J. Clark and Tanzel Smart. Meanwhile, Lunda Wells is the only familiar name on the offensive staff, continuing his role as the tight ends coach after five years alongside McCarthy.
Wells shared his thoughts on team dynamics, noting, “It’s important to get everyone’s names right.” Schottenheimer previously served as the offensive coordinator under McCarthy, a structure that will continue as Klayton Adams takes over as the new offensive coordinator, having previously coached the offensive line for the Arizona Cardinals. Eberflus and Adams have history, having worked together at the Colts.
Adams emphasized the importance of addressing the team’s struggles, particularly in improving one of the NFL’s least effective rushing offenses. He noted that the immediate goal is to devise effective strategies for resolving these issues. “Our priority is to be problem-solvers when we create the call sheet,” Adams explained. “This is also a leadership opportunity within a respected organization.”
Wells and pass game specialist Ken Dorsey round out the offensive staff with the most experience. Dorsey has faced his share of challenges, having been dismissed midseason as offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills in 2023 and again at the same position with the Cleveland Browns in the following season. “Winning football games is our primary objective, and when we don’t, it opens the door for changes,” Dorsey remarked. “Life will throw challenges your way, but it’s all about how you respond and continue to fight.”
With shared experiences and aspirations, Eberflus and his new coaching staff are gearing up for a fresh start within the Cowboys organization, hoping to rewrite the narrative of the past while pushing toward future successes.
