In the end, the fact that HBO’s “Hard Knocks” behind-the-scenes NFL series chose to close out its in-season look with the NFC East was a a bit of a dud decision. The Eagles ran away with the division, the Dallas Cowboys flamed out completely and both the Giants and the Commanders ended the season in much the same forgettable way they started it.
Still, the cameras were there for some of the recent drama that did strike the Cowboys–namely, the firing of defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus last week, just as the Cowboys were set to conduct exit interviews with players.
From the outside, it was clear that Eberflus was about to be cut loose. His defense had ranked No. 32 in points allowed and No. 30 in yardage allowed, and he had been a non-stop topic of conversation in the Cowboys media. Both owner Jerry Jones and his son, team VP Stephen Jones, had indicated in interviews that Eberflus would be gone after just one season on the job.
Brian Schottenheimer: ‘Football Wasn’t Right’ Under Matt Eberflus
Still, when the Cowboys coaches met at The Star just after the team wrapped up the season with a disappointing loss to the Giants in New York, and coach Brian Schottenheimer announced the decision to fire Eberflus to his staff, it was clear there was still some raw emotion at play.
Said Schottenheimer to the group, gathered around a conference table: “I just met with Flus this morning. Incredible human being. Love the man, but at the end of the day the football wasn’t right. I’ve been in this position. I’ve been Flus. I’ve been the guys in this room, I understand the question, I understand the concerns, and I will answer all of those.
“Right now, the focus has to be, No. 1, about the man. Checking on him. Reach out. Tell him you love him. Because he’s a great man. Two, finishing this process. The exit interviews with the players are critical. We have to continue that process. We got players rolling in here in a little bit. Anybody’s got questions, come see me.”
GettyCowboys ex-DC Matt Eberflus
Cowboys Conducting Wide-Ranging Defensive Coordinator Search
With that, the Cowboys coaches broke the meeting, and not long thereafter, the beginning of the search for Eberflus’ replacement began in earnest. That process is still very much ongoing, as the Cowboys opened the interview process this last weekend and are still seeking new candidates to chat with.
New interview requests are in for Christian Parker, the Eagles’ defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator, plus Charlie Bullen, who was the Giants’ interim defensive coordinator this season.
The team conducted interviews initially with Broncos assistant Jim Leonhard, plus Minnesota pass game coordinator Daronte Jones and Cleveland safeties coach Ephraim Banda. They’ve since talked, too, with ex-Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon, current Cowboys defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton and former Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr.
Schottenheimer planned to conduct a thorough search for Eberflus’ replacement, and the Cowboys are clearly in the midst of that.
Cowboys Brian Schottenheimer’s 1st Reaction to Firing ‘Great Man’ Revealed