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DCC 4Life
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Nick Eatman DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
Senior Manager, Digital Media
FRISCO, Texas – The Cowboys parted ways with Scott Linehan on Friday. But it’s never too early to start looking at the next option for head coach Jason Garrett and his staff.
While several names have surfaced over the weekend, this could be a little more complicated than the Cowboys simply hiring an offensive coordinator to replace Linehan.
Because the Cowboys have a few intriguing prospects already on the staff, there could be a few title changes being made to accommodate these moves and/or bring in outside help.
For example, there could be a passing game coordinator named as well as the OC. Also, an assistant head coach title could be in play.
And some of these questions could be answered by next week, considering the Cowboys’ coaching staff is headed to Orlando to coach the Pro Bowl.
But for now, it is mostly just speculation.
Here are 10 names to know that could very well be in the mix when the Cowboys decide to make these moves.
Kellen Moore – He has emerged as the favorite for the offensive coordinator position in Dallas. His relationship with Dak Prescott, which stems back to the 2016 season when Moore was injured but still on the roster, is likely a big factor in Moore’s consideration for this job. He was clearly connected with Linehan, but if he’s not named OC, he could be in line for a passing game coordinator type of role.
Doug Nussmeier – The Cowboys’ current TE coach has received some attention during this search because of his college ties. He’s been an OC/QB coach the previous 10 years at places such as Fresno State, Washington, Alabama, Michigan and Florida. A role as the passing game coordinator could be in future if he’s not the OC.
Sanjay Lal – Despite having just one year on the staff, Lal is very well-respected among his peers and his bosses. If you remember, Jerry Jones was ecstatic about the opportunity to hire Lal just last offseason.
Dowell Loggains – He was actually with the Cowboys back in 2005 in the scouting department, but has worked his way up the charts in either OC or QB coach roles. Loggains has been the OC in Tennessee, Chicago and most recently in Miami.
Jon Kitna – This name surfaced over the weekend and could be for one of the other positions under the OC. For instance, if Moore was named either offensive coordinator or passing game coordinator, Kitna could be the quarterbacks coach to help with Prescott. The former 14-year veteran quarterback spent three years with the Cowboys on two different stints. He’s currently an OC for the San Diego Fleet of the new Alliance of American Football.
Scott Turner – While his father, Norv, is one of the best offensive coordinators the Cowboys have ever had, his son has some experience in the business as well. In fact, Scott Turner coached in Carolina on two occasions and is currently the QB coach for Cam Newton with the Panthers.
James Coley – The offensive coordinator at Georgia has obviously had some success lately, helping the Bulldogs the past three seasons. His college ties are intriguing but he also has some experience in the pros. In fact, he was on the same Dolphins staff as Jason Garrett back in 2005-06 under then-head coach Nick Saban.
Todd Haley – Experience is certainly there with Haley, who was with the Cowboys under Bill Parcells from 2004-06. He’s also been an OC for the Cardinals, Steelers and Browns and was a head coach for three years in Kansas City. He was let go in mid-season by the Browns this past year.
Mike Kafka – His name has generated some buzz lately because of the success of Patrick Mahomes. Kafka, the Chiefs’ QB coach, also bounced around the NFL on seven different teams in six years. So he obviously has been exposed to several different offensive systems.
Dan Campbell – His name has been linked, mainly because of his ties to the Cowboys as a player. Campbell has been with the Saints the last three years as the tight ends coach and assistant head coach under Sean Payton. A 10-year veteran, Campbell played three years in Dallas from 2003-05, but was a teammate of Jason Garrett at the start of his career with the Giants, when Garrett was wrapping up his career.