(Editor’s Note: Time to check the mail! The DallasCowboys.com staff writers answer your questions here in ‘Mailbag’ presented by Miller Lite.)
Is the new defensive coordinator going to have a new defensive line coach and other coaches on that side of the ball? Or is it just going to be all the same coaches who were here? Do you think it’s best to keep the assistants in order to maintain some consistency, or start fresh with new voices after such a tough season? – Charles Reynolds/Staten Island, NY
Mickey: That is a complicated situation, and certainly the new defensive coordinator would like to have some say over just who are his position coaches. First of all, it’s my understanding all the Cowboys defensive coaches are under contract for this coming season and would imagine that will be discussed between head coach Brian Schottenheimer and the new DC.
But remember, a new defensive coordinator can’t just cherry pick his assistants. They must be contractually available. Assistants under contract can’t just break their contracts to make lateral moves unless given permission. But with 10 teams eventually hiring new head coaches, a lot of staffs will be reshuffled. A lot of these decisions might start coming down after the conference championships games on Sunday.