Current NFL Films vice-president and editor-in-chief Bob Ryan coined the Dallas Cowboys as “America’s Team” in 1978.
With a new sheriff in town, fans hoped HC Mike McCarthy would take this year’s team back to those glory days.
However, the 2020 Cowboys did not look anything close to their well-known nickname.
In week 15, the NFL even did the unthinkable and flexed-out them ‘Boys, moving their primetime game to the afternoon.
With one game remaining and playoff implications on the line, Dallas has one last chance left in week 17 to not embarrass The Star.
Regardless of the result this Sunday against division rival New York Giants, changes in Big D are coming in 2021.
Jerry Jones Hints to Coaching Changes in 2021
Team owner and GM Jerry Jones hinted about such changes in an interview with 105.3 The Fan, stating:
“I will say this, like anybody, you got a lot of do-overs. I’d like to start again on how we approach our defense this year. I’d like to start that over again. I’m sure everybody else would, too.”
Jerry added he would start by making changes on day one:
“I’d start right there (with) the first day (of training camp). By the way, unfortunately, everybody (was dealing with) the same thing. …I would really make sure that any changes we were making, I would want to make sure that we did in the same way that we didn’t make changes on offense. Because we didn’t think we had the time to make those changes and it really be effective. We’ve obviously done some things, we’ve changed. And we’re having a hard time getting those in place to be a good defense.”
When asked if any changes are in the works for the coaching staff, Jones related:
“Every bit of it. And, right pass that, go right to your general manager. Coming through the door the GM was eye-to-eye hiring the head coach…talking about how we’re going to approach when he walks through the door and where he was going to go from there. That’s what you do, and that, obviously, didn’t work for us this year.”
Although it seems likely McCarthy will stick around for a second year in his five year, $30M deal, others may not.
From @NFLGameDay: #Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy is considered safe, but changes could come on the defensive side of the ball. pic.twitter.com/UV37vD8NHs
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 13, 2020
As such, two major coaching positions the Dallas Cowboys need to address in 2021 are at defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.
1. Change Needed at Defensive Coordinator
In this 2020 presidential election year, Dallas defensive coordinator Mike Nolan is the Cowboys equivalent of a “lame-duck” president.
Cowboys DC Mike Nolan is not expected to return in 2021. Mike McCarthy will. But the team's defensive scheme mishandle falls on McCarthy, too. https://t.co/o3tA8WQIwH
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) December 16, 2020
The Nolan-Experiment, adjusting from his traditional 3-4 defense to the Cowboys 4-3 scheme, along with other hybrid looks, horribly failed.
Potentially with one week left before turning in his keys, Nolan’s Cowboys rank close to the bottom in many categories.
The Dallas defense is the fourth most generous in giving up passing TDs (32) and seventh worst in defensive INTs (9).
Since the team’s pass defense needs much attention, the first step is to find a coordinator with defensive secondary experience.
A front running candidate to fill the Cowboys DC in 2021 is Los Angeles Rams fourth year CB coach Aubrey Pleasant.
First in fewest passing yards (2,885) and TDs (16) allowed, Pleasant’s defensive secondary is one of the best this year.
The Dallas defense is hurting for an overhaul, and Aubrey is the perfect coach to fill at defensive coordinator in 2021.
2. Change Needed at Linebackers Coach
One current Cowboys staff member with direct ties to coach McCarthy’s tenure in Green Bay is linebackers coach Scott McCurley.
Although they have history together, McCurley’s production as a first-year linebackers coach fell far short of the days of Ray Nitschke.
Them ‘Boys rank last in defensive rushing total yards (2,416), tied last in yards/carry (5.0), and seventh most TDs allowed (19) in 2020.
Therefore, change at linebackers coach is the second step and Mississippi State’s DC Zach Arnett is the key for Dallas.
Before joining the Bulldogs, Arnett was the linebackers coach/defensive coordinator at San Diego State University from 2014-2019.
With the Aztecs, Zach consistently built an impressive resume every year.
In 2018, San Diego State’s defense was fourth across the board in rushing yards (1,134), yards/carry (2.7), and yards/game (94.5).
In 2019, the Aztecs defense ranked first in rushing yards (868), second in both yards/carry (2.6) and yards/game (72.3), and fourth in TDs (7).
Above all that, Arnett’s players respect and want to play for him.
Redshirt sophomore LB Aaron Brule expounded on his growing relationship with coach Arnett, relating:
“Coach Arnett’s defense is definitely different than what I’m used to, and it puts me in some much better positions. I’m able to play the run and also drop into coverage, and I feel like it’s expanded my game a lot more than in the past.”
Mississippi State linebacker Aaron Brule on defensive coordinator Zach Arnett: "I've never really been with a coach like him. He demands greatness from everybody in the room."
— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) December 28, 2020
Expressing his desire to play for Zack, Brule added:
“Even if I mess up or something, I’m still just giving 100 percent. It’s better to make a 100 percent mistake than a lagging mistake.”
