Introduction to the World of Football Coaching
FRISCO — It’s been said that football coaches are hired to one day be fired. It’s inescapable for the best and longest-tenured coaches, and even the shortest-tenured ones. It’s innately understood among those who choose this profession.
That doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt when it happens. Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer knows. He went through it multiple times on his rise to becoming a first-time head coach this season.
“You know,” Schottenheimer said before a short, but reflective pause, “there’s always scars.”
Scars carry stories. Those stories contain lessons. This week, with his recent history staring him in the face, Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus elected not to discuss either.
The Story of Matt Eberflus
Schottenheimer joked that one reporter might’ve bugged the team room when asking about Eberflus’ return to Chicago this Sunday, but it wouldn’t be necessary. The storyline speaks for itself.
It’s been less than nine months since Eberflus’ tenure in Chicago, lasting less than three years, ended. He was fired on Nov. 29, hours after he expressed optimism to reporters that he would remain the coach. He finished his first head coaching job with a 14-32 record. He holds the distinction of being the only head coach the Chicago Bears have ever fired during the season.
On Sunday, he returns to Chicago, where the scars of his regime are still there.
He’s scheming against quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick the Bears selected last season. He’s dueling against Bears play-caller and head coach Ben Johnson, someone who’s not only a familiar opponent from his days in Detroit, but is also the guy who replaced Eberflus.
Eberflus’ Reflections
“I haven’t thought about it,” Eberflus said about the potential reaction Chicago will have about his return.
To be fair, Eberflus has others things on his mind — like remedying a defense that allowed 37 points and more than 500 yards in last Sunday’s win over the Giants.
After his firing, he didn’t have to think too much about his future, either. He said it was the first December off he had with his family in his 34 years of coaching.
“I said two things are going to happen: I said we’re going to get closer together and we’re going to get closer to the Lord,” Eberflus said. “And to me, we accomplished those two things and it was a good time with the family.”
Lessons Learned
It may have been a different ending, but Eberflus also did what he does after any season. He said he reflected and took a look at himself. Through his reflection, he quickly realized that he wanted to continue coaching. It only took him a couple of weeks to come to that conclusion.
Part of his reflection, he said, also involved looking at his time at Chicago and seeing where he could grow and improve.
“That’s the biggest part of experience,” Eberflus said, “and that’s what we’re doing there.”
Eberflus said there’s a long list of things he learned from his time in Chicago. He elected not to detail those to reporters, even when asked for specifics. The most specific lesson learned was about communicating well and “doing a good job there with everybody who’s working.”
Eberflus’ Time in Chicago
In Chicago, there were seemingly a lot of opportunities for lessons learned. He fired eight assistants in less than three years. His 14-32 record included a record of 5-19 in one-score games. He issued 18 challenges in his time as a head coach, resulting in only three overturns. His clock management was questioned and highlighted by his final loss, where a comeback attempt by the Bears was thwarted by a late sack, an unused timeout, and one final Hail Mary heave that didn’t even reach the end zone.
After the game, Eberflus told reporters that he believed the Bears handled the clock management down the stretch the “right way.” After the game, former Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen told reporters, “I feel like we did enough as players to win the game.”
Support from the Team
Schottenheimer said that he and Eberflus have talked about Eberflus’ time in Chicago. The experience in Chicago was the result of a climb through the collegiate and NFL ranks that included a seven-year stint in Dallas as a linebackers coach and a defensive passing game coordinator. Eberflus excelled as a defensive coordinator in Indianapolis from 2018-21 before the Bears gave him his first head coaching job.
Schottenheimer is a first-time head coach, just as Eberflus was with the Bears. Eberflus, now back in Dallas, said he’s tried to impart some of the wisdom gained from that experience onto Schottenheimer. He’s here to help Schottenheimer. In doing so, he could have the chance to help himself.
“Flus is a damn good football coach,” Schottenheimer said. “He’s going to be a head coach again.”
But first, he has to go back to where he was a head coach the first time.
“I imagine he wants to go in there and win,” said Cowboys linebacker Jack Sanborn, who spent the first three years of his career in Chicago with Eberflus. “He wants us to go out there and play good ball just like every weekend.”
If the Cowboys do, they appear to have a plan. Last week, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott gave a game ball to Schottenheimer for his first win as a head coach. This week, both Schottenheimer and Prescott said they plan to give one to Eberflus.
The man, himself, may not be focusing on his return, but many others are.
Conclusion
The story of Matt Eberflus serves as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there is always an opportunity to learn and grow. As he returns to Chicago, he will undoubtedly be met with a mix of emotions, but with the support of his team and his own determination, he is ready to face whatever comes next.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about Matt Eberflus and his return to Chicago:
Q: What is Matt Eberflus’ current role in the NFL?
A: Matt Eberflus is currently the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys.
Q: Why was Matt Eberflus fired from his position as head coach of the Chicago Bears?
A: Matt Eberflus was fired from his position as head coach of the Chicago Bears due to his 14-32 record and the team’s poor performance during his tenure.
Q: What has Matt Eberflus learned from his experience as head coach of the Chicago Bears?
A: Matt Eberflus has learned the importance of communicating well and doing a good job with everybody who is working with him. He has also reflected on his time in Chicago and is looking for ways to grow and improve.
Q: How does Matt Eberflus feel about returning to Chicago?
A: Matt Eberflus has stated that he hasn’t thought about his return to Chicago, and is instead focused on preparing for the
