“We want guys that can…” Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer reveals plan to fix broken defense after frustrating season

The Dallas Cowboys are once again facing a familiar offseason problem, and fans have seen this movie before. After another disappointing year, the team is searching for answers on defense. The 2025 season ended with frustration, missed expectations, and a unit that simply could not hold up week after week. As a result, Dallas is back on the hunt for a new defensive coordinator.
The Cowboys finished the season with a 7-9-1 record and missed the playoffs for the second straight year. What hurt the most was the defense. Dallas allowed more points than any team in the league, giving up 30.1 points per game. That kind of performance made change unavoidable. Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus was let go, opening the door to yet another reset on that side of the ball.

Cowboys search for defensive coordinator after another rough season

This is now the fourth straight offseason in which the Cowboys are replacing their defensive coordinator. Around the league, that level of turnover has raised eyebrows. In just a few years, the role has passed through multiple hands, including Dan Quinn and Mike Zimmer, without finding long-term stability. According to league sources, the Cowboys have requested permission to interview three coaches for the job. The list includes Daronte Jones, the defensive pass game coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings, Jim Leonhard, the Denver Broncos’ assistant head coach and pass game coordinator, and Ephraim Banda, the Cleveland Browns’ safeties coach. Each candidate brings a different background, but all are viewed as strong teachers with defensive experience.
Inside the building, communication has become a major focus. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer made that clear while speaking at the team’s season-ending press conference. “We want guys that can say complicated information in a simple manner,” Schottenheimer said. “If I say something to you that you don't understand, I need the ability to say it a different way, the same message but a different way.”
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones has echoed that thinking while discussing the broader offseason plan. Jones has spoken about the need to improve across the roster and coaching staff, and he has not ruled out spending aggressively. His comments about being willing to “bust the budget” have sparked debate about whether Dallas will truly make bold moves this offseason.
Whoever takes over as defensive coordinator will inherit a unit with some talent but obvious flaws. The Cowboys struggled to generate takeaways and had major issues in pass defense. While the offense showed promise, the defense repeatedly put the team in difficult positions.
For the Cowboys, this search is not just about filling a job. It is about finally finding consistency. Until the defense stabilizes, the pressure on Dallas is only going to grow, and patience around the league and among fans is wearing thin.
Also read: “I’ve got work to do”: Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wants to retire with the most Super Bowl


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