Ex-Bears Coach Matt Eberflus Returns to Cowboys to Run the Defense
A Second Stint in Dallas
The Dallas Cowboys have hired former Chicago Bears coach Matt Eberflus as their new defensive coordinator, marking his second stint with the team. Eberflus was fired by the Bears after just 12 games into his third season, but he returns to the Cowboys two months later.
A Familiar Face
Eberflus spent four years as the defensive coordinator in Indianapolis before joining the Bears, and he had previously worked as a linebackers coach with the Cowboys from 2009 to 2017. During his time in Indianapolis, he oversaw a top 10 rushing defense each year, which is an area of concern for the Cowboys, who have struggled to stop the run in recent seasons.
Stopping the Run
The Cowboys have had a persistent problem with stopping the run, and Eberflus’ experience in Indianapolis could be a valuable asset in addressing this issue. In his four years with the Colts, he had a top 10 rushing defense each time, which is something the Cowboys have struggled to achieve in recent seasons.
New Special Teams Coordinator
In addition to hiring Eberflus as defensive coordinator, the Cowboys also added Nick Sorensen as special teams coordinator. Sorensen was fired after one season as defensive coordinator in San Francisco, where he was responsible for a significant drop-off on that side of the ball. Before his stint in San Francisco, Sorensen spent two seasons working mostly with the secondary and running the team’s weekly meetings focused on creating and avoiding turnovers.
A Familiar Face in the Coaching Staff
Sorensen was on the staff in Jacksonville in 2021 when Brian Schottenheimer was the passing game coordinator, and they were also on the staff together in Seattle from 2018-20. Schottenheimer was hired as the new head coach of the Cowboys last week, replacing Mike McCarthy.
Conclusion
The hiring of Eberflus and Sorensen marks a significant change for the Cowboys’ defense, which has struggled in recent seasons. Eberflus’ experience in Indianapolis and his familiarity with the Cowboys’ system could be a valuable asset in addressing the team’s defensive issues. Sorensen’s experience in special teams could also be a welcome addition to the team.
FAQs
Q: Why was Matt Eberflus fired by the Bears?
A: Eberflus was fired by the Bears after just 12 games into his third season, just a day after he botched a timeout against Detroit late in a sixth consecutive loss.
Q: What was Matt Eberflus’ record with the Bears?
A: Eberflus was 14-32 with the Bears during his three seasons as head coach.
Q: Who is Nick Sorensen?
A: Nick Sorensen is the new special teams coordinator for the Cowboys. He was previously the defensive coordinator in San Francisco and has also worked as a linebackers coach and secondary coach in the NFL.
