One of the first athletic trainers in Cowboys history passed away at the age of 90 this week.
Don Cochren, who spent nearly 30 years with the Cowboys organization, was around for all five Super Bowl wins in some capacity, mostly as the head athletic trainer.
A second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, Cochren joined the Cowboys in 1965 as the co-athletic trainer for eight years, before having the title as head trainer until 1989. Cochren spent 1990-95 as a trainer/medical records coordinator for a six-year period that saw three more Super Bowl wins before officially retiring before the 1996 season.
Along the way, Cochren hired a couple of interns in the mid-1980's that proved to be two of the backbones of the Cowboys' medical staff for the next four decades, including half of the current staff.
Head athletic trainer Jim Maurer, and Britt Brown, the team's associate athletic trainer and director of rehabilitation, both got their start with the Cowboys because of the guy they all called, "Cocky."
"Yeah, Britt and I were student trainers back in 1986 together and Don gave us the opportunity to join the NFL in that capacity," said Maurer, who has been with the Cowboys for 33 seasons. "Obviously, it spurned us on to bigger and greater things."
Brown, a student at TCU when he got selected to be a season-long intern, said it was his time with Cochren that opened his eyes that being in the NFL was eventually the best path for him.
"At that point, I didn't think I'd ever be in the NFL," Brown said. "I thought I'd be a high school athletic trainer. But being around 'Cocky,' it woke me up that maybe this was something that I wanted to do."
Brown, who is finishing up his 30th season with the Cowboys, said Cochren was "ahead of his time" in some of his practices.
Maurer added that during those times of the 70s and 80s, many NFL players had other jobs in the offseason.
"Don was an athletic trainer and a physical therapist, which was very rare in those days," Maurer said. "Don, in the offseason, would travel to injured players. They worked real jobs. He went to them and made sure they got the proper rehab done to make sure they were ready for the next season. He was a little bit innovative there, but that's also how the Cowboys did things."
Cochren was the second athletic trainer in Cowboys history, a group that only includes 10 full-time trainers, with four on the current staff.
Cochren, survived by his wife Jan and son Chris, was an athletic trainer for the 1980 USA Olympic team. He was honored as a distinguished alumni from Purdue in 1992.
While the Cowboys are never short on current superstars, their legacy was built on legends, many of which have long retired from the game. Still, former Cowboys players and coaches constantly garner headlines, which will be captured in the ongoing "Past & Present Blog." Here are some of the latest news items that have come from some members of the Cowboys' alumni.
Linguist to be Co-Defensive Coordinator at Bama
Former Cowboys defensive backs coach Maurice Linguist recently re-signed from the head football coach at the University of Buffalo, to join the staff at Alabama.
Linguist was with the Cowboys in 2020, the first staff of head coach Mike McCarthy.
He left to in 2021 to become the co-defensive coordinator at Michigan, but only spent about three months in Ann Arbor before he was named the head coach in Buffalo. Linguist coached the Bulls three years before deciding to join new Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer. He is expected to be the co-defensive coordinator for Alabama. -Nick Eatman
Isaac Alarcón signs with 49ers
Former Cowboys lineman Isaac Alarcón, who spent four training camps with the team, has signed with the 49ers to a Reserve/Future contract.
Alarcón will be part of the 49ers' offseason as a defensive tackle. He is not eligible to play or practice with the team as San Francisco continues into the playoffs.
Alarcón joined the Cowboys in 2020 as part of the NFL's International Pathway Program, which gave the team a roster exemption on the practice squad from 2020-22 as an offensive lineman. The program ended for Alarcón, who stayed with the Cowboys in 2023, but switched to defensive tackle. He played in three preseason games last August but was released before the start of the season.
He was not with a team for the 2023 regular season, although he did have several workouts with other teams.
Alarcón, 25, is from Monterrey, Mexico and previously played football at Monterrey Tech. -Nick Eatman
Just when it appeared as if the Cowboys were going to face a former kicker, veteran Brett Maher was officially released by the Rams, who will play at AT&T Stadium this Sunday at Noon.
Maher missed an extra point and two field goal attempts in last week's home loss to the Steelers.
It was his only missed extra point of the season, after he missed five extra points in the playoffs alone for the Cowboys this past January.
Maher currently ranks tied for third in the NFL in scoring with 63 points. He's made 17 of 23 field goals and 12 of 13 extra points.
Maher first joined the Cowboys in 2019 and made 20 of 30 field goals. He then returned to the team last year and was having a stellar season – making 29 of 32 field goals and 50 of 53 extra points until he struggled mightily in the playoffs.
As an unrestricted free agent, Maher did not re-sign in Dallas but joined the Rams and was having a solid season until last Sunday's game.
Maher currently holds the Cowboys' record for the four longest field goals in team history, with makes of 63, 62, 62 and 60.
This year, rookie Brandon Aubrey is 16 of 16 in field goals and 12 of 13 on extra points, including 12 straight. - Nick Eatman
Last week, the Cowboys faced Ezekiel Elliott. This week, could it be Randy Gregory?
Just two days before Sunday's game in San Francisco, the 49ers acquired Gregory in a trade with the Broncos. Gregory could suit up and play against the Cowboys, if the 49ers feel he'll be ready by Sunday's 7:20 p.m. kickoff.
According to reports, Denver receives a sixth-round pick in 2024 while the 49ers get the Broncos' seventh-round pick and Gregory.
Cowboys chief operating officer Stephen Jones said Friday on 105.3 The Fan that he's not ruling out the chances of facing Gregory on Sunday.
"Who knows. Nothing ever surprises you when it comes to the NFL and a big game," Jones said. "I'm sure they want as many great players as they can have out there. It'll be interesting to see if he tries to suit up."
So far this season, Gregory has played in four games, starting three, with one sack. Since his decision back in March of 2022 not to sign with the Cowboys and instead picked Denver, Gregory has played in just 10 of a possible 21 games and has just three sacks.
The Cowboys drafted Gregory in the second round back in 2015 but off-the-field issues, primarily suspensions from the NFL, were consistent his career, causing him to miss a total of 31 games in his five years in Dallas. -Nick Eatman
Former Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant headlines an all-star cast for an upcoming reality TV show that could be his "toughest test" yet.
Bryant is one of 14 competitors announced in the second season of Fox's "Special Forces: World's Toughest Test." The reality show pits a mix of former athletes and celebrities to compete in some grueling challenges in the winter mountains of New Zealand.
Along with Bryant, former NBA champion Robert Horry will compete along with actors such as Brian Austin Greene and Tyler Cameron.
Season 2 of "Special Forces" premieres on September 25 on Fox. -Nick Eatman
Everson Walls Among 2024 HOF Semifinalists
Everson Walls and Chuck Howley are one step closer to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Walls and Howley, who made a combined 10 Pro Bowls with the Cowboys, are among 12 seniors committee finalists for the 2023 Class, the PFHOF announced Wednesday.
Three more Hall of Fame finalists have Cowboys ties. Former longtime front-office executive John Wooten, former player/coach Dan Reeves and former scout Frank "Bucko" Kilroy have been voted finalists in the coach/contributor category.
Up to three seniors finalists and one coach/contributor finalist will be nominated for final consideration by the full PFHOF selection committee. That process will take place in August.
-Nick Eatman
Second-season breakouts have become a theme with legendary tight end Jason Witten. As a player, his second season in the NFL marked his first Pro Bowl appearance and what was a team-record 87 receptions at the time. Now, his second season as a high school football head coach culminated with being named the TAPPS Coach of the Year.
Witten received the honor Tuesday evening after leading the Liberty Christian Warriors (Argyle, Texas) to a 10-2 record, a district championship, and a trip to the regional round of the TAPPS Division II tournament. He took over as head coach prior to the 2021 season which was filled with early adversity and finished with a 2-8 regular season. The eight-win improvement was one of the largest in TAPPS, the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools.
These have been his first two years as a coach following his playing career of 17 NFL seasons, 16 of which in Dallas. He finished with 11 Pro Bowl and four All-Pro selections throughout his career and was also named Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2012.
It appears time for more space in the trophy case. Because if his playing career is any indication, his off-the-field accolades are just getting started. -Kyle Youmans
Former Cowboys cornerback Deion Sanders, arguably one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history, is now taking his head coaching career to the next level.
Sanders was named head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes over the weekend, after spending three seasons at FCS school Jackson State, which just completed a 12-0 regular season. In his time at Jackson, Sanders built the program to its powerhouse level with a 27-5 record.
A Hall of Fame player who played five seasons (1995-99) in Dallas, Sanders is one of the most iconic players in league history and will likely give a huge boost to a Colorado program that finished 1-11 this season.
Colorado athletic director Rick George said in a statement. "Not only will Coach Prime energize our fanbase, I'm confident that he will lead our program back to national prominence while leading a team of high quality and high character." -Nick Eatman
Three former Cowboys players advance to the Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinal round, including Darren Woodson and DeMarcus Ware.
The HOF round includes 28 modern-day semifinalists for the 2023 class, which will be revealed in February before the Super Bowl.
Along with Ware and Woodson, former linebacker Zach Thomas, who spent one year in Dallas but the majority of his career with the Dolphins, also advanced to the semifinal round.
Last year was Ware's first season of eligibility and it was surprising to many when he was not announced as a member of the HOF class. It's likely the Cowboys all-time leading sack artist will get that Gold Jacket in 2023.
For Woodson, he's made it this far before but never to the round of 15 finalists. The five-time Pro Bowl safety was one of the defensive catalysts for the team of the 90s. -Nick Eatman
Bears Bring Former Players, Coaches
For the second straight week, the Cowboys will face an opposing head coach who has been with the organization.
Bears first-year head coach Matt Eberflus was an assistant in Dallas from 2011-17, serving different roles from linebackers coach to defensive passing game coordinator.
On his staff, Eberflus has linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi, who was an assistant here from 2012-13 and assistant special teams coach Carlos Polk, who not only held that role here in 2019, but was a player on the team in 2008.
Also, the current roster includes Robert Quinn, who had an 11-sack season for the Cowboys in 2019. Also, linebacker Joe Thomas played three seasons in Dallas from 2018-2020. He also spent a few years in Green Bay, playing under Mike McCarthy. -Nick Eatman
Robert Quinn Traded To Philadelphia
Would you rather not have to face a veteran pass-rusher this week on the field? Or watch him to go to a division rival that is already two games ahead of you in the standings?
That's the dilemma the Cowboys find themselves in after the Bears traded away Robert Quinn to the Eagles on Wednesday.
Quinn, a 12-year veteran who had an 11-sack season with the Cowboys in 2019, is now headed to Philadelphia, the only unbeaten team in the NFL.
Quinn set the Bears' single-season sack record in 2021 with 18.5. So far this year, he's had just one sack in seven games.
Drafted by the Rams in 2011, Quinn played seven years there, before one season in Miami, one in Dallas and was nearly halfway into his third season with the Bears before the trade.
The Cowboys face the Bears this Sunday at home, and square off with the Eagles on Dec. 24 at AT&T Stadium. -Nick Eatman
Former Cowboys Return With Lions
The Lions will have a few of familiar faces for Cowboys fans come Sunday, starting with their head coach.
Dan Campbell is in his second year as Detroit's coach. The longtime NFL veteran tight end played for the Cowboys in 2003-05. He is actually the only tight end to start over Jason Witten during his Cowboys career.
Campbell's defensive coordinator is Aaron Glenn, who also played at Texas A&M, joined Campbell and the Cowboys in 2005. Glenn played two seasons in Dallas under Bill Parcells.
Offensive tackle Dan Skipper spent some time with the Cowboys back in 2017 before landing a role on Detroit's offensive line. The Lions also have cornerback Savion Smith on the practice squad. Smith played for the Cowboys in 2020. -Nick Eatman
Cole Beasley Signing With Bucs
The Buccaneers seem to prefer to add veteran receivers to Tom Brady and the offense. The latest is Cole Beasley, the former Cowboys and Bills receiver who has been a free agent this offseason.
Beasley is signing with the Bucs on their practice squad for now but could get called up to the roster before game day. The Bucs are also without receiver Mike Evans, who is suspended one game for fighting last week in New Orleans.
Beasley, 33, is a 10-year veteran who started his career in Dallas for seven seasons (2012-2018) before spending the last three years in Buffalo.
-Nick Eatman
Jaylon Smith Joining Giants Again
For the sixth straight season, Jaylon Smith will be a part of the Cowboys-Giants game in the Meadowlands. And this could be the second consecutive year that he's a member of the Giants.
Smith signed to the Giants practice squad this week - once again before their game with the Cowboys, who face NYG on Monday Night Football on Sept. 26.
Smith joined the Giants defense for the final two games in 2021, playing against the Cowboys, who drafted him in 2016 in the second round.
Smith missed his entire rookie year with a serious knee injury but returned in 2017 to play over four years with the Cowboys, including a Pro Bowl in 2019.
Smith was released by the Cowboys after four games into the 2021 season. He signed with the Packers for two games and then two with the Giants.
-Nick Eatman
Former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman has a new role this football season. Technically, he's doing what he's done for nearly two decades – broadcast football games on TV. But now, he's moved from Fox to ESPN for Monday Night Football.
Aikman will call less Cowboys games now, but he's not stopped following the team, especially since he still lives in Dallas. This week, Aikman and Joe Buck were on a media conference call to discuss his new gig. And the first question posed to Aikman was about the Cowboys overall.
Here was his response:
With the Cowboys, of course, with me living right here in Dallas, I get it every day. I kind of am able to keep up with them a lot easier, but the Cowboys, as you probably know, they've always been left-tackle dependent. They've really struggled when Tyron Smith has missed time in years past. A great player, of course. They've had to get used to him being gone a little bit more. He has had a number of injuries he has to kind of fight through and miss some time. It's a lot. I mean, it's a lot when you then put in a rookie now. I understand. I have heard Stephen Jones and the Cowboys, and it's the right response that that's why they drafted the rookie at left tackle was to eventually take over for Tyron Smith. They just didn't envision that it would be Week 1. I think you probably in the back of your mind think that, yeah, this could happen at some point during the season, but you don't expect to lose a starter going into the first game of the season and now possibly maybe for the entire year. You can do some things. It definitely affects you, of course, when you have to start giving help to tackles. Not to get too much football jargon, but you can turn protection and a lot of those types of things, but it affects them. Mike McCarthy historically has not been a guy who has wanted to help his tackles. We've seen that in Green Bay. Sometimes he was criticized for it. So it is a big blow to them. I know Tampa is dealing with the same stuff when are you talking about Week 1. They've had some injuries along their offensive line as well. -Nick Eatman
Former Cowboys OC Ernie Zampese Passes Away
Former Cowboys offensive coordinator and longtime NFL coach Ernie Zampese passed away over the weekend.
Zampese served as the Cowboys' OC from 1994-97, running an offense that made two straight NFC Championship Games and won Super Bowl XXX. During that 1995 season, the Cowboys ranked third in the NFL, averaging 27.2 points per game.
He later returned to the Cowboys staff in the early 2000s as a consultant.
In his career, Zampese served as either a coach, scout or consultant for nearly 30 years in the NFL, spanning six different teams – with multiple stops with the Chargers, Rams and the Cowboys.
In a statement from the Cowboys on Monday, the organization said:
" He was a friend, mentor, leader and difference maker in many ways to many people. Our deepest sympathies go out to the Zampese family."
His passing is yet another loss for the Cowboys' family during 2022, that has included the deaths of former players and coaches such as Dan Reeves, Marion Barber, Rayfield Wright, Don Perkins, Gary Brown and Larry Lacewell.
-Nick Eatman
Everson Walls Among HOF Finalists
Everson Walls and Chuck Howley are one step closer to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Walls and Howley, who made a combined 10 Pro Bowls with the Cowboys, are among 12 seniors committee finalists for the 2023 Class, the PFHOF announced Wednesday.
Three more Hall of Fame finalists have Cowboys ties. Former longtime front-office executive John Wooten, former player/coach Dan Reeves and former scout Frank "Bucko" Kilroy have been voted finalists in the coach/contributor category.
Up to three seniors finalists and one coach/contributor finalist will be nominated for final consideration by the full PFHOF selection committee. That process will take place in August.
-Rob Phillips
Chuck Howley Finalist For Hall Of Fame
Cowboys legend Chuck Howley has been selected as a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2023, the PFHOF announced, along with fellow Seniors candidates Joe Klecko and Ken Riley.
Cowboys legend Everson Walls is among nine Seniors candidates who did not advance to the finalist stage.
In January, the full Hall of Fame selection committee will vote on the 2023 class, including the Seniors, Coach/Contributor and Modern-Era finalists. The new HOF bylaws state that up to three Seniors finalists can be elected in each of the next three years. Election requires at least an 80% approval vote.
Howley, a Cowboys Ring of Honor member, was a Super Bowl champion and a six-time Pro Bowler during his Cowboys career (1961-73). He's the only player in NFL history to win Super Bowl MVP as a member of the losing team.
-Rob Phillips
Greg Ellis Lands College Coaching Job
Greg Ellis, a former first-round pick of the Cowboys who spent 11 seasons with the team, was recently named head football coach at Southwest Assemblies of God.
The Division III school in Waxahachie, Texas, also known as SAGU, hired Ellis over a "tremendous number of highly-qualified candidates," according to SAGU athletic director Dr. Jesse Godding.
Ellis, who recently was the head coach at Texas College, played in Dallas from 1998-2008, where he was a Pro Bowler in 2007, also the year he won NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
The official SAGU press release also stated:
"Coach Ellis will utilize the coaching styles of three of his former coaches Mack Brown, Mike Zimmer, and Bill Parcells. This combination of coaching styles and his dedication to putting God first will help to curate not only a successful football team but further develop SAGU student-athletes walk with God."
-Nick Eatman
After nearly a week of speculation, Jason Garrett is officially joining NBC as a studio analyst for "Football Night in America," the pre-game show for Sunday Night Football.
NBC officially announced the move this week.
Garrett, the only former Cowboys player to become head coach of America's Team, is replacing former Saints QB Drew Brees, who chose not to return for the 2022 season.
Garrett is expected to work with co-hosts that include Chris Simms, Tony Dungy and Maria Taylor before Sunday night's big game.
Garrett had been working as an analyst during NBC's coverage of the USFL this season.
Garrett coached 13 years for the Cowboys (2007-2019), including 10 as the head coach.
-Nick Eatman
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is making some changes this year, with hopes of adding more players, especially in the "Seniors" and "Coaches/Contributors" categories.
Of the 54 players that made it to the semifinalist round, five of them have Cowboys ties, including former cornerback Everson Walls, who is now tied for the team record with 11 interceptions, along with Trevon Diggs.
Walls owns the NFL rookie record with those 11 picks in 1981, and he played nine years with the Cowboys and four more with the Giants and Browns.
Joining Walls is linebacker Chuck Howley, the only player in Super Bowl history to win MVP honors on the losing team. Former Cowboys coach and player Dan Reeves, along with Cowboys founding owner Clint Murchison Jr. and former scout Frank "Bucko" Kilroy were also among the semifinalists.
On July 27, the selection committee will narrow the list down to 12 seniors and 12 coaches/contributors, with the finalists being named in August.
-Nick Eatman
Nate Newton Joins Black College Football HOF
Nate Newton, a six-time Pro Bowl guard and three-time Super Bowl champion with the Cowboys in the 1990s, was formally inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2022 Saturday night in Atlanta.
The 2022 Class includes Newton, Ben Coates, Donald Driver, John "Big Train" Moody, Sammy White, Roscoe Nance and William "Billy" Nicks.
Newton played at Florida A&M from 1979-82 and earned an All-MEAC conference selection in 1980. After one NFL training camp with Washington and two years in the USFL, he signed with the Cowboys in 1986 and became not only one of the NFL's premier offensive linemen, but also a key starter on perhaps the greatest line in league history.
The 2022 Class was honored during the Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Juneteenth Celebration, presented by the Atlanta Falcons, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
Founded in 2009, the Black College Football Hall of Fame has now inducted 13 classes. Members of the BCFHOF and a 10-member selection committee voted to determine the 2022 Class.
Larry Lacewell, the Cowboys' longtime Director of College and Pro Scouting, passed away Wednesday. He was 85.
Lacewell began work with the Cowboys in 1992, serving as the Director of College Scouting. In 1994, he was named Director of College and Pro Scouting, a position he held until 2005.
His tenure in Dallas, where he contributed to all three Super Bowl championships in the 1990s, was just one stop of an amazing football career. Following a four-year playing career at Arkansas State, he went on to a 32-year coaching career, highlighted by two national championships as an assistant at Oklahoma and a decade as the head coach at his alma mater.
From there, he also served as Arkansas State's athletic director from 1979-1990. He is commemorated in the school's Ring of Honor, as well as the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame.
-David Helman
Jason Garrett Moves To Broadcasting
Former Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett will serve as an analyst for NBC's coverage of the inaugural USFL season that kicks off later this month, NBC Sports announced Tuesday.
Garrett, former Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan and former fullback/NFL Network analyst Michael Robinson will be analysts for NBC.
Garrett did a little broadcasting for Fox and NFL Europe before he retired from playing and transitioned to coaching in 2005. He served as Cowboys offensive coordinator from 2007 through the middle of the 2010 season, when he replaced Wade Phillips as interim head coach. He became permanent head coach in 2011 and held the job through the 2019 season. Most recently he was the Giants' offensive coordinator from 2020-21.
-Rob Phillips
Andy Dalton Signs With Saints
After spending his first nine years of his career in Cincinnati, Andy Dalton is turning into a journeyman.
Dalton is now signing with the Saints, his third new team in three years.
After leaving the Bengals in 2020, Dalton signed a one-year deal in Dallas, where he started nine games when Dak Prescott was injured. Dalton was able to join the Bears last year, starting six games while rookie Justin Fields was adjusting to the game.
And now Dalton is signing with the Saints, who are expected to use Jameis Winston as the starter. Dalton is likely to be the backup to Winston as the Saints announced Tuesday that versatile standout Taysom Hill will be used primarily as a tight end.
With the Cowboys in 2020, Dalton went 4-5 as a starter and threw 14 touchdowns to eight interceptions.
-Nick Eatman
Greg Zuerlein Signs With Jets
Former Cowboys kicker Greg Zuerlein has officially signed with the New York Jets, closing the door on his return to the team this offseason.
The Cowboys released Zuerlein earlier this month after a two-year stint with the team. The move saved the team $2.5 million on the cap but there were internal discussions about bringing back the veteran at a lower cost. In fact, the Cowboys made an offer to Zuerlein, who has decided to sign with the Jets.
That leaves the Cowboys with first-year vet Chris Naggar as the only kicker on the roster. Naggar, who played at SMU, has only played one NFL game in his career with the Browns. It's likely the Cowboys will either add a veteran this offseason, draft a kicker next month, or maybe even both.
Zuerlein led the NFL in missed extra points last year with six, but he also made his share of clutch kicks, including a game-winner to beat the Chargers and two end-of-regulation kicks to force overtime.
-Nick Eatman
La'el Collins Signs With Bengals
La'el Collins will be protecting Joe Burrow in the pocket next season.
The Bengals announced that Collins signed a three-year with Cincinnati on Sunday, just three days after the Cowboys released the veteran right tackle with a post-June 1 designation, saving about $10 million in 2022 salary cap space.
The deal makes sense for the Bengals, who are looking to upgrade their offensive line after allowing 70 sacks on Burrow last season, third most in NFL history.
Terence Steele is the likely starter at right tackle in Dallas after splitting starts with Collins last season.
-Rob Phillips
Matt Eberflus Lands Bears HC Job
As it turned out, a former Cowboys defensive coordinator has been named the head coach of the Bears after all.
For a while, it appeared Dan Quinn might end up coaching in Chicago, after not one but two interviews for the vacancy. Instead, the Bears have hired Matt Eberflus to take over.
Eberflus has been the DC with the Colts since 2018, but before that, he coached seven seasons in Dallas as the linebackers coach and defensive passing game coordinator. Eberflus was on Jason Garrett's staff from 2011-2017.
In Chicago, Eberflus takes over for Matt Nagy, who was fired after four seasons as the head coach (34-31 record).
-Nick Eatman
Cowboys legend Troy Aikman and his longtime broadcast partner Joe Buck are moving from Fox to Monday Night Football on new multi-year contracts, ESPN officially announced Wednesday.
Aikman, a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Cowboys and Pro Football Hall of Famer, has been a fixture at Fox working alongside Buck since retiring from the Cowboys after the 2000 season.
The new MNF lineup features Aikman, Buck, sideline reporter Lisa Salters and rules analyst John Parry.
-Rob Phillips
Wes Phillips Named Vikings OC
Former Cowboys assistant coach Wes Phillips has been named offensive coordinator for the Vikings.
Phillips, who spent seven years on the Cowboys' staff from 2007-13 in various roles, recently helped the Rams win a Super Bowl as the passing game coordinator and tight ends coach.
In Dallas, Phillips was hired by his father, Wade Phillips, who took over as the head coach in 2017. Wes Phillips held titles from quality control coach to assistant offensive line to eventually the tight ends coach.
He later spent four years in Washington where he crossed paths with Kevin O'Connell, who is the new Minnesota head coach.
Hitchens Cut By Kansas City
Former Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens, who was a key member of the Chiefs squad that went to four straight AFC Championship Games, was released in a cost-cutting move this week.
Hitchens, a fourth-round pick of the Cowboys in 2014, played his first four years in Dallas, where he immediately took over as a starting inside linebacker.
The Cowboys opted not to pay Hitchens, who signed a five-year, $45 million deal in 2018. Kansas City decided to release him with one season remaining on the deal.
Hitchens, who turns 30 in June, started all 59 games he played for the Chiefs. He was credited with 135 tackles in 2018, his first season with Kansas City.
Witten Presents His Annual Award
Former Cowboys tight end Jason Witten was back at The Star in Frisco this week to present his annual leadership award to deserving college athletes.
This year, Kentucky DE Joshua Paschal won the 5th annual Jason Witten Award. He was honored at a banquet Thursday night, that not only included Witten, but honorary guests DeMarcus Ware, DeMarco Murray and Darren Woodson.
Paschal was one of the three finalists, along with Arkansas' Grant Morgan and Patrick Fields of Oklahoma.
"I'm so proud of all these guys," Witten said before the banquet. "Just how mature they are and what they've become not only as players, but as leaders."
Paschal joins a list of winners that includes Shaquem Griffin (UCF), D'Cota Dixon (Wisconsin), Trey Smith (Tennessee) and Sam Ehlinger (Texas).
The award, presented by Albertsons and Tom Thumb, is the first college football honor to focus primarily on a player's leadership, both on and off the field. Leadership is a term synonymous with Jason Witten, who, in addition to becoming one of the best tight ends in the history of the sport, served as one of football's most prominent role models during his 17-year pro career, which featured 16 seasons with the Cowboys.
-Nick Eatman
Rich Bisaccia Headed to Green Bay Packers
Former Cowboys special teams coach Rich Bisaccia has found another gig – this time it's back in the NFC.
Bisaccia, who served as the Raiders' interim head coach last year after taking over for Jon Gruden, helped guide Las Vegas into the playoffs. But after finishing the season with a 7-5 record, Bisaccia was not named head coach for the Raiders, who recently hired Josh McDaniels.
Bisaccia is now expected to be hired as the special teams coach for the Packers.
He's coached in the NFL for 20 years, including five in Dallas from 2013-2017 as the special teams coordinator and assistant head coach under Jason Garrett.
The Cowboys and Packers will play each other in the 2022 regular season in Green Bay.
-Nick Eatman
Newsome Gets NC Hall of Fame
Former Cowboys running back Timmy Newsome will be inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in April.
Newsome played his nine seasons in the NFL all with the Cowboys from 1980-88.
Newsome was a versatile running back who played fullback and tailback alongside both Tony Dorsett and Herschel Walker.
He is a native of Ahoskie, North Carolina and starred at Winston-Salem State, where he ranks second on the school's all-time rushing list with 3,843 yards.
-Nick Eatman
Cowboys Ties Headed To Super Bowl
Once again, the Cowboys – and their fans - will have to watch a Super Bowl from the sidelines.
In what seems like an every-year occurrence, there will be some familiar faces in the game.
Here's a look at some of the former coaches/players who will be playing in Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles.
Cincinnati – Former Cowboys draft pick Chido Awuzie signed with the Bengals this offseason in free agency. He's a starter on the Cincy defense, wearing No. 20. Awuzie started 14 games, all three in the playoffs, and had a career-high two interceptions.
The Bengals also have veteran offensive linemen Xavier Su'a-Filo on the practice squad. He started two years in Dallas (2018-19) and started a total of 12 games.
Frank Pollack is the Bengals' O-line coach and running game coordinator. He spent five years coaching the Cowboys' offensive line from 2013-17.
LA Rams – The Rams also have some ties to the Cowboys, especially on the coaching staff. Special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis is in his second season with the Rams and his 24 overall in the NFL. He coached the Cowboys' special teams from 2009-13.
Wes Phillips is the Rams' tight ends coach/passing game coordinator. Phillips, the son of former Cowboys head coach Wade Philips, spent seven years on the Cowboys' staff from 2007-13, including two full seasons after his dad was replaced as the head coach.
Rams' assistant defensive line coach Marcus Dixon, spent two seasons with the Cowboys from 2008-09.
As for current Rams players, only practice squad linebacker Anthony Hines III has ties to the Cowboys. Hines, who played at nearby Plano East and Texas A&M, went to training camp with the Cowboys in 2021 but was released before the start of the season.
-Nick Eatman
Sean Payton Steps Away After 16 Seasons
While there are several head coaching vacancies around the NFL, one of the more surprising developments occurred on Tuesday when Sean Payton announced he is stepping away from his head coaching position with the Saints.
Payton, a former Cowboys assistant coach, is considered one of the NFL's most consistent head coaches over the last 15 seasons, which includes a Super Bowl title (2009 season) and nine playoff appearances. This past year, Payton and the Saints just missed the playoffs, finishing the year 9-8.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Payton didn't want to use the word "retirement" and said he wasn't sure what the future holds, only to mention that coaching is "not where my heart is right now."
Payton joined the Saints in 2006 after spending three seasons in Dallas under head coach Bill Parcells. Payton held various titles on the Cowboys' staff, including assistant head coach, quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator. Payton, a former Eastern Illinois alum, is one of the big reasons Tony Romo decided to sign with the Cowboys following the 2003 draft.
-Nick Eatman
Roy Williams Named To College HOF
Former Cowboys safety Roy Williams, who made five Pro Bowls in his seven seasons in Dallas, was honored at the College Football national championship on Monday night.
Williams was among 18 new members inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame for its 2022 Class.
A standout at the University of Oklahoma, Williams was a dynamic college player, earning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2001 and first-team All-America honors. Williams was also a key member of Oklahoma's 2000 national championship team.
He was drafted by the Cowboys No. 8 overall in the 2002 NFL Draft and eventually made five straight Pro Bowls from 2003-07.
After eight seasons in Minnesota, Mike Zimmer was fired as the Vikings head coach, following an 8-9 season in 2021 in which his defense was ranked 31st in the NFL.
Zimmer, who spent 13 years with the Cowboys, including seven seasons as the defensive coordinator from 2000-06, also coached in Atlanta and then Cincinnati before taking over in Minnesota.
With the Vikings, he compiled a record of 72-56-1, with three trips to the playoffs.
-Nick Eatman
Vikings Fire HC Mike Zimmer
After eight seasons in Minnesota, Mike Zimmer was fired as the Vikings head coach, following an 8-9 season in 2021 in which his defense was ranked 31st in the NFL.
Zimmer, who spent 13 years with the Cowboys, including seven seasons as the defensive coordinator from 2000-06, also coached in Atlanta and then Cincinnati before taking over in Minnesota.
With the Vikings, he compiled a record of 72-56-1, with three trips to the playoffs.
-Nick Eatman
Former Cowboys Lineman Ralph Neely Dies
Ralph Neely, one of the first great offensive linemen in team history, passed away this week at the age of 78.
Neely, who wore No. 73, played his entire 13-year NFL career with the Cowboys.
Playing from 1965-77, Neely played on five Super Bowl teams, including two championships.
The Super Bowl XII win over the Broncos was the final game of Neely's career.
From 1967-69, Neely earned three first-team All-Pro awards and he also made the Pro Bowl in 1967 and 1969. In 1970, after spending the first five years of his career at right tackle, Neely moved to the left side for the rest of his career.
Neely ranks 11th Cowboys history with 168 games started.
-Nick Eatman
Nate Newton Gets HOF Honors
Former Cowboys guard Nate Newton has been voted to the Black College Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2022.
Newton, Ben Coates, Donald Driver, John "Big Train" Moody, Sammy White, Roscoe Nance and William "Billy" Nicks are all part of the 2022 Class.
Newton starred at Florida A&M in the early 1980s, becoming an All-MEAC conference selection. After two seasons in the USFL, he signed with the Cowboys in 1986 and emerged as one of the NFL's premier offensive linemen, making six Pro Bowls in the 1990s as a key starter on all three Cowboys Super Bowl teams during the decade.
The 2022 Class will be honored June 18 during the Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Juneteenth Celebration, presented by the Atlanta Falcons, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
-Rob Phillips
Romo among 15 former Cowboys listed as HOF nominees
It's still early in the process, but the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced 173 modern-era nominees for the 2024 class.
Among those players, 15 of them have some ties to the Cowboys, including former quarterback Tony Romo, who was also eligible last year.
The list will be dramatically reduced to 25 semifinalists in November.
But here are the 15 players that spent some time with the Cowboys who are on the list:
Tony Romo, Darren Woodson, Nate Newton, Daryl Johnston, Erik Williams, Mark Stepnokski, Ken Norton Jr., La'Roi Glover, Jimmy Smith, Randall Cunningham, Chris Warren, Eddie George, Mike Vanderjagt, Keith Brooking and Michael Bates. -Nick Eatman
