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SAN ANTONIO – Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett’s lengthy evaluation of his staff culminated Tuesday night with the announcement of a major, convoluted shakeup that included demotions for both Bill Callahan and Monte Kiffin.
Newly hired Scott Linehan will serve as passing game coordinator and will also take over the play-calling duties from Callahan.
But Callahan will continue as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach.
The team also announced in a press release that defensive line coach Rod Marinelli replaces Kiffin as defensive coordinator.
But Kiffin, who guided one of the worst defenses in NFL history last season, will serve as assistant head coach/defense. Marinelli will continue to coach the defensive line.
Got all that?
Garrett made no apologies for the bizarre shuffle that left the team with an offensive coordinator in Callahan who won’t call plays and a defensive overseer in Kiffin who guided one of the worst defenses in NFL history last season.
“Our responsibility is to bring quality people into our organization and find the best fit for them,” Garrett said in a statement. “That applies to players, and it applies to coaches.”
The changes came after a third-straight 8-8 season in which the Cowboys missed the playoffs for a fourth year in a row. The day after the season ended, Garrett declined to answer questions about his staff, saying he would be “evaluating a lot of different things” in the weeks to come.
In Linehan, Garrett will have a kindred offensive spirit by his side as he fights for his job next season. The two share offensive philosophies they often describe as “aggressively taking what the defensive gives you.”
The two also share a bond from their days as members of Nick Saban’s Miami Dolphins staff.
Linehan was offensive coordinator for the Dolphins in 2005 when he hired Garrett to coach the quarterbacks, giving the former NFL backup QB his first coaching job.
Now, Garrett has seemingly returned the favor after his friend got dumped by Detroit after five seasons as the Lions’ offensive coordinator.
“The opportunity to add someone of Scott Linehan’s expertise and experience will benefit our offensive unit, and we believe the combination of him and Bill Callahan working closely together will give us a great chance to build upon the strides we made offensive last year,” Garrett said.
The Cowboys finished 16th in total offense last season but had the 24th-ranked rushing offense. Under Linehan, the Lions finished the last three seasons ranked sixth, third and fifth in total offense. Detroit was 17th in rushing last season with Reggie Bush finishing with 1,006 yards.
Defensively, the Cowboys yielded an NFL-worst 415.3 yards per game and also ranked near the bottom of the league in points allowed with an average of 27. Dallas allowed four quarterbacks to pass for 400 or more yards and surrendered an NFL-record 40 first downs in a 49-17 loss at New Orleans.
While the Cowboys did show improvement in generating takeaways, finishing with 28 after recording just 16 in 2012, Garrett apparently wants more.
“Rod Marinelli’s production in terms of creating turnovers and changing field position as a coordinator is well documented,” Garrett said.
Indeed, Marinelli coordinated a Chicago Bears defense in 2012 that led the NFL in takeaways (44) while finishing third in points allowed (17.3 per game).
The Cowboys fired Rob Ryan after the 2012 season to bring in Kiffin, who got rid of the 3-4 defense Dallas had used since 2004 to install a 4-3 scheme.
“Monte Kiffin’s overall knowledge and understanding of this scheme will be put to use in mentoring all of the players and coaches on the defensive side of the ball,” Garrett said. “Monte was brought here to direct a transition in philosophy to the 4-3 scheme, and he will continue to oversee the development of our defense in this scheme.”
Linehan will be the Cowboys’ third play-caller in as many seasons. Marinelli is the team’s third defensive coordinator in as many seasons.
Continue reading...
Newly hired Scott Linehan will serve as passing game coordinator and will also take over the play-calling duties from Callahan.
But Callahan will continue as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach.
The team also announced in a press release that defensive line coach Rod Marinelli replaces Kiffin as defensive coordinator.
But Kiffin, who guided one of the worst defenses in NFL history last season, will serve as assistant head coach/defense. Marinelli will continue to coach the defensive line.
Got all that?
Garrett made no apologies for the bizarre shuffle that left the team with an offensive coordinator in Callahan who won’t call plays and a defensive overseer in Kiffin who guided one of the worst defenses in NFL history last season.
“Our responsibility is to bring quality people into our organization and find the best fit for them,” Garrett said in a statement. “That applies to players, and it applies to coaches.”
The changes came after a third-straight 8-8 season in which the Cowboys missed the playoffs for a fourth year in a row. The day after the season ended, Garrett declined to answer questions about his staff, saying he would be “evaluating a lot of different things” in the weeks to come.
In Linehan, Garrett will have a kindred offensive spirit by his side as he fights for his job next season. The two share offensive philosophies they often describe as “aggressively taking what the defensive gives you.”
The two also share a bond from their days as members of Nick Saban’s Miami Dolphins staff.
Linehan was offensive coordinator for the Dolphins in 2005 when he hired Garrett to coach the quarterbacks, giving the former NFL backup QB his first coaching job.
Now, Garrett has seemingly returned the favor after his friend got dumped by Detroit after five seasons as the Lions’ offensive coordinator.
“The opportunity to add someone of Scott Linehan’s expertise and experience will benefit our offensive unit, and we believe the combination of him and Bill Callahan working closely together will give us a great chance to build upon the strides we made offensive last year,” Garrett said.
The Cowboys finished 16th in total offense last season but had the 24th-ranked rushing offense. Under Linehan, the Lions finished the last three seasons ranked sixth, third and fifth in total offense. Detroit was 17th in rushing last season with Reggie Bush finishing with 1,006 yards.
Defensively, the Cowboys yielded an NFL-worst 415.3 yards per game and also ranked near the bottom of the league in points allowed with an average of 27. Dallas allowed four quarterbacks to pass for 400 or more yards and surrendered an NFL-record 40 first downs in a 49-17 loss at New Orleans.
While the Cowboys did show improvement in generating takeaways, finishing with 28 after recording just 16 in 2012, Garrett apparently wants more.
“Rod Marinelli’s production in terms of creating turnovers and changing field position as a coordinator is well documented,” Garrett said.
Indeed, Marinelli coordinated a Chicago Bears defense in 2012 that led the NFL in takeaways (44) while finishing third in points allowed (17.3 per game).
The Cowboys fired Rob Ryan after the 2012 season to bring in Kiffin, who got rid of the 3-4 defense Dallas had used since 2004 to install a 4-3 scheme.
“Monte Kiffin’s overall knowledge and understanding of this scheme will be put to use in mentoring all of the players and coaches on the defensive side of the ball,” Garrett said. “Monte was brought here to direct a transition in philosophy to the 4-3 scheme, and he will continue to oversee the development of our defense in this scheme.”
Linehan will be the Cowboys’ third play-caller in as many seasons. Marinelli is the team’s third defensive coordinator in as many seasons.
Continue reading...