FRISCO, Texas – Former longtime Bengals offensive line coach Paul Alexander is expected to join the Cowboys' staff, presumably to replace Frank Pollack in overseeing the offensive line.
Last week, the Cowboys parted ways with Pollack after five seasons, including the last three as offensive line coach. Pollack has been announced as the new offensive line coach in Cincinnati, the job Alexander held over the previous 23 seasons.
Alexander left the Bengals earlier this month. He also had held the title of assistant head coach on Marvin Lewis' staff since 2003.
On Alexander's watch, the Bengals developed Pro Bowl offensive linemen Willie Anderson and Andrew Whitworth.
In Dallas he'll inherit three Pro Bowl linemen in Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin. La'el Collins developed nicely in his first season at right tackle.
The Cowboys' depth was tested this season, however, when Smith missed multiple games with groin and knee injuries. Opponents sacked quarterback Dak Prescott 32 times, including 22 in the final eight games. Smith missed three of them.
The team also has a decision to make at left guard for the second consecutive offseason. Jonathan Cooper, the replacement for departed free agent Ronald Leary in 2017, is set to be a free agent.
The Cowboys are in the process of finalizing roles and titles on head coach Jason Garrett's staff. Marc Colombo, the assistant offensive line coach under Pollack, still figures to have an important role on the staff.
Since the season ended, Garrett has said tight ends coach Steve Loney is expected to retire. Wide receivers coach Derek Dooley has accepted the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach job at the University of Missouri. Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones recently told 105.3 The Fan that Kellen Moore is a candidate to become quarterbacks coach, amid reports that Wade Wilson is not expected to return.
Though not finalized, indications over the weekend were that running backs coach Gary Brown, who had an expiring contract after the season, is expected to return.
