The first Cowboys coaching rumors of this offseason began with wide receivers coach Derek Dooley, who was reportedly “out the door” last week. Frustrated with his lack of input in Scott Linehan’s offense, Dooley pursued other positions around the NFL and NCAA. Yesterday, he was officially named the new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Missouri.
Dooley’s departure means the Cowboys are now looking for new coaches below Linehan at WR, tight end, and quarterback. Frank Pollack may also be on his way out as the offensive line coach.
Derek Dooley last coached in college at Tennessee, serving as their Head Coach from 2010-2012 before joining the Cowboys. He now returns to his fourth different SEC team, beginning his coaching career at Georgia in 1996. From 2000 until 2004 he coached various positions on offense at LSU.
NEWS: Derek Dooley Joins Mizzou Coaching Staffhttps://t.co/zpfvkSEeyT#MIZ #ShowMe 🐯🏈 pic.twitter.com/XjXDsZVHMf
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) January 5, 2018
It also wouldn’t be a Dallas Cowboys offseason without speculation on Will McClay‘s time with the team coming to an end.
The Senior Director of Player Personnel responsible for the Cowboys’ new, more analytical, and smarter approach to acquiring talent at the draft and in free agency is now in consideration for the Houston Texans’ open GM position.
Two more personnel executives the Texans are interested in for their vacant GM job are Eagles VP of player personnel Joe Douglas and Cowboys VP of player personnel Will McClay.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) January 5, 2018
Texans owner Bob McNair reportedly wants to conclude interviews for the position next week, and make a hire soon after, so Cowboys Nation won’t have to wait long to know if Will McClay is staying in Texas, but leaving America’s Team.
Of course, keeping McClay from defecting to the Texans wouldn’t mean the Cowboys are clear to keep one of their pivotal front office voices for another year.
In previous seasons, Dallas has been able to discretely give McClay more money (and perhaps influence) to keep him happy constructing the Cowboys’ roster into one of the league’s most balanced.
Cowboys might pay Will McClay like a GM to prevent the Texans from poaching him via @sportsdaydfw
— Kate Hairopoulos (@khairopoulos) January 6, 2018
Whether or not this continues could be a telling sign of the Cowboys’ chances at retaining the likes of Matt Eberflus on their coaching staff as well. The linebackers coach and passing game coordinator has generated plenty of interest as a defensive coordinator candidate around the league, a position the Cowboys are not prepared to offer Eberflus with Rod Marinelli in place.
For better or worse, the changes are just beginning in Dallas — with Derek Dooley’s situation now coming full circle on this coaching carousel.
