The Cowboys' offseason work building a team that can compete for a Super Bowl kicked into high gear with a visit to the Scouting Combine this week, and it will continue with a decision on the franchise tag on March 6 and the start of free agency come March 14.
Before all that, however, first and foremost came the rebuilding of Jason Garrett's coaching staff.
And in this regard, the Cowboys are entering unchartered territory. Dallas will head into the 2018 campaign with six new position coaches as well as a new special teams coordinator, a total of seven key changes to a staff that had seen very little turnover in the previous two years.
This type of change isn't just rare, the Cowboys' unique situation is basically unheard of. Why? Because over the last 30 years, no team has ever brought on seven new coaches without also changing the head coach or an offensive or defensive coordinator.
Never.
Normally when a head coach is hired, he will bring in his own people to serve under him, which can, of course, result in a high number of new assistant coaches as well. But Garrett is obviously returning, back for his eighth full season as Dallas' sideline leader.
That's not to say head coaches can't or won't then make changes. Most teams see some kind of tweaks to their coaching staffs every year. Prior to Jerry Jones buying the Cowboys in 1989, Tom Landry was the team's head coach for 29 years with the turnover among his assistants, which were part of a smaller staff overall, minimal at best. But since Jones' arrival, only twice has a returning Cowboys head coach not seen any change to his coordinators or position coaches: Jimmy Johnson in 1992 and Chan Gailey in 1999.
But we're not talking about just a couple of assistant moves here or there. This is seven new coaches, a significant difference.
Gone is quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson, wide receivers coach Derek Dooley, tight ends coach Steve Loney, offensive line coach Frank Pollack, linebackers coach and passing game coordinator Matt Eberflus, secondary coach Joe Baker and special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia. Dooley, Eberflus and Bisaccia chose to leave for other jobs while Wilson, Pollack and Baker were simply not brought back after their contracts expired. After a coaching career that lasted more than 40 years, Loney made the decision to retire.
Views of the 2018 Dallas Cowboys coaching staff.
Cincinnati Bengals offensive line coach Paul Alexander during the Bengals rookie mimicamp at Paul Brown Stadium, Friday, May 1, 2009 in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/David Kohl)
Paul Alexander, assistant head coach, center, directs his players using a tablet in the second half of a NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Cincinnati Bengals guard Kevin Zeitler (68), right, talks with coach Paul Alexander during practice at the NFL football team's rookie camp, Friday, May 11, 2012, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Tony Tribble)
Paul Alexander, assistant head coach, center, directs his players using a tablet in the second half of a NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Cincinnati Bengals assistant head coach Paul Alexander works with offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth (77) during the NFL football team's practice at training camp, Saturday, July 28, 2012, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
Cincinnati Bengals offensive line coach Paul Alexander talks with tackle Anthony Collins and tackle Andrew Whitworth (77) in the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/David Kohl)
Cincinnati Bengals assistant head coach Paul Alexander works with tackle Marshall Newhouse, center, and guard Kevin Zeitler, right, during an NFL football organized team activity, Tuesday, June 3, 2014, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
Tennessee Titans during football training camp Friday, July 25, 2008, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
St. Louis Rams long snapper Ryan Neill, right, and Tennessee Titans long snapper Ken Amato, left, warm up before the start of an NFL football game between the St. Louis Rams and the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009 in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Russell)
Tennessee Titans linebacker Ken Amato watches from the sidelines during an NFL preseason football game against the New Orleans Saints at LP Field Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010 in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee Titans kicker Rob Bironas (2), punter Brett Kern (6) and long snapper Ken Amato (58) pound fist before taking the field for an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers on October 31, 2010. The Chargers defeated the Titans 33-25. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
22 October 2017: Brett Bech
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 7 regular season 40-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
29 October 2017: Brett Bech
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 8 regular season 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
31 December 2017: Brett Bech
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 17 regular season 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
01 August 2017: Ben Bloom
of the Dallas Cowboys during training camp at City of Oxnard Fields in Oxnard, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
10 August 2017: Ben Bloom
of the Dallas Cowboys during training camp at City of Oxnard Fields in Oxnard, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
21 October 2017: Ben Bloom of the Dallas Cowboys during their walk through practice at San Jose City College Jaguar Stadium before their week 7 regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Aug 19, 2014; Englewood, CO, USA; Houston Texans assistant special teams coach Doug Colman points during a scrimmage against the Denver Broncos at the Broncos Headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
21 October 2017: Marc Colombo of the Dallas Cowboys during their walk through practice at San Jose City College Jaguar Stadium before their week 7 regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
16 December 2017: Marc Colombo of the Dallas Cowboys during their walk through practice before they play the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
12 November 2017: Marc Colombo
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 10 regular season 27-7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
01 August 2017: Gary Brown
of the Dallas Cowboys during training camp at City of Oxnard Fields in Oxnard, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
31 December 2017:
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 17 regular season 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
16 December 2017: Gary Brown of the Dallas Cowboys during their walk through practice before they play the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
01 August 2017: Greg Jackson
of the Dallas Cowboys during training camp at City of Oxnard Fields in Oxnard, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
21 October 2017: Greg Jackson
of the Dallas Cowboys during their walk through practice at San Jose City College Jaguar Stadium before their week 7 regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
16 December 2017: Greg Jackson of the Dallas Cowboys during their walk through practice before they play the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham, right, talks with New York Jets wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal before an preseason NFL football game, Friday, Aug. 22, 2014, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal, center, talks to receivers Mike Soms-Walker (5), Jeremy Kerley (11, Stephen Hill (84) and Joseph Collins during NFL football minicamp Tuesday, June 11, 2013, in Florham Park, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
From left, Oakland Raiders wide receivers Todd Watkins, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Louis Murphy, wide receivers coach Lal Sanjay, and Chaz Schilens prepare to run a drill during NFL football training camp in Napa, Calif., Friday, July 30, 2010. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Injured Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck talks with wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal, left, in the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Monday, Oct. 16, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Injured Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck talks with wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal, left, in the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Monday, Oct. 16, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Cowboys Training Camp
16 December 2017: Scott Linehan of the Dallas Cowboys during their walk through practice before they play the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
01 August 2017: Kellen Moore (17)
of the Dallas Cowboys during training camp at City of Oxnard Fields in Oxnard, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
03 August 2017: Kellen Moore (17)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their 20-18 preseason win over the Arizona Cardinals at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio in the Hall of Fame game. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
03 August 2017: Kellen Moore (17)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their 20-18 preseason win over the Arizona Cardinals at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio in the Hall of Fame game. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
09 August 2017: Kellen Moore (17)
of the Dallas Cowboys during training camp at City of Oxnard Fields in Oxnard, California. Photo by Sam Smith/Dallas Cowboys
10 August 2017: Kellen Moore (17)
of the Dallas Cowboys during training camp at City of Oxnard Fields in Oxnard, California. Photo by Sam Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Michigan offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier watches his players run through drills at his whistle, during the football team's annual spring game, Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
Michigan offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier shouts instructions during the football team's annual spring game, Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
Doug Nussmeier gestures as he addresses the media as Michigan's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach during a news conference at the Junge Center in Ann Arbor, Mich., Friday, Jan. 10, 2014. Nussmeier is the former Alabama offensive coordinator. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Michigan offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier is seen before the first half of an NCAA college football game against Utah in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Doug Nussmeier, Florida's NCAA college football offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach, talks to the media at the teams media day in Gainesville, Fla., Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015. (AP Photo/Phil Sandlin)
Florida defensive lineman Alex McCalister (14) celebrates with offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier after defeating Vanderbilt 9-7 in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Alabama offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier instructs players during a practice at their NCAA college football fan day on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
30 November 2017: Keith O'Quinn
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 13 regular season 38-14 win over the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
26 July 2017: Keith O'Quinn
of the Dallas Cowboys at training camp at City of Oxnard Fields in Oxnard, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
10 August 2017: Keith O'Quinn
of the Dallas Cowboys during training camp at City of Oxnard Fields in Oxnard, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Markus Paul, the assistant strength and conditioning coach for the New York Giants, leads the squad during warmups prior to an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Seattle Seahawks secondary coach Kris Richard is seen on the sidelines before kickoff of Super Bowl XLIX against the New England Patriots at University of Phoenix Stadium on Sunday, February 1, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photos/Ben Liebenberg)
Seattle Seahawks rookie wide receiver Paul Richardson (10) is greeted by Seahawks secondary coach Kris Richard, right, Friday, May 16, 2014, at the start of an NFL football mini camp in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks secondary coach Kris Richard in action during an NFL football minicamp Wednesday, June 12, 2013, in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' Antoine Winfield (21) is congratulated by secondary coach Kris Richard after a turn at scrimmage during an NFL football minicamp on Wednesday, June 12, 2013, in Renton, Wash (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard, left, talks with rookie running back Chris Carson, center, during NFL football training camp, Monday, Aug. 7, 2017, in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard passes a football during warmups before an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
26 July 2017: Stephen Brown
of the Dallas Cowboys at training camp at City of Oxnard Fields in Oxnard, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
10 August 2017: Stephen Brown
of the Dallas Cowboys during training camp at City of Oxnard Fields in Oxnard, California. Photo by Sam Smith/Dallas Cowboys
10 August 2017: Stephen Brown
of the Dallas Cowboys during training camp at City of Oxnard Fields in Oxnard, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
10 August 2017: Kendall Smith
of the Dallas Cowboys during training camp at City of Oxnard Fields in Oxnard, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
25 September 2017: Kendall Smith
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 3 regular season 28-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
05 November 2017: Kendall Smith
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 9 regular season game 28-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
23 November 2017: Kyle Valero
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 12 regular season 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
08 October 2017: Kyle Valero
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 5 regular season 35-31 loss to the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
19 August 2017: Mike Woicik of the Dallas Cowboys during their preseason 24-19 win over the Indianapolis Colts at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 September 2017: Mike Woicik of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 2 regular season 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
No matter the reason, to have this much turnover is unusual. In reviewing every NFL team's coaching staff since 1989, only 19 times in that nearly three-decade span has a team switched out at least seven key coaches without changing the head coach himself. In some cases, a coach moved from one position to another or a position assistant was promoted, so the faces were not necessarily new, but the message – what was taught and, more importantly, how it was taught – was still different.
So how did the changeover affect those previous 19 teams? Eight would see their record improve in the ensuing season, eight more would basically see no change, their record remaining within a game, win or lose, from what they did the year before, and three of those 19 actually saw their records get worse.
However, the difference between those previous 19 clubs and the Cowboys in 2018 is that the coaching changes those teams made included either a new offensive coordinator or defensive coordinator, and in some cases both.
Similar to when a team brings in a new head coach, usually once a new offensive or defensive coordinator is added, he will bring in position assistants who he knows and trusts. Among those 19 squads, seven changed their offensive coordinator and seven the defensive coordinator with five making changes at each.
That's not the case for the Cowboys. Not only is Garret returning for this season, so too is offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli.
Which, if the leadership seems satisfactory, why all the change beneath those three? The hope is this may give Dallas the best of both worlds. The overall direction of the team will remain the same, but delivering that message in the classroom, in the position drills or on the sidelines during the games will be a fresh set of voices.
Maybe a 29-year-old Kellen Moore can better understand the pressure 24-year-old Dak Prescott faces at quarterback in today's game rather than the 59-year-old Wilson. Perhaps Sanjay Lal can connect with Dez Bryant and a wide receiver corps that may have tuned out Dooley after five years. Or could the respect Kris Richard earned while developing Seattle's Legion of Boom secondary help in guiding this current crop of young Cowboys cornerbacks and safeties.
In addition to Moore, Lal and Richard, Dallas has also brought in Paul Alexander to man the offensive line and most recently Doug Nussmeier to oversee the tight ends. Keith O'Quinn and Ben Bloom, current members of the staff, were promoted to special teams coordinator and linebackers coach, respectively.
With all the comings and goings, though, there could now be concern that Garrett is more or less being set up to fail. While that may be extreme, he undoubtedly needs these moves to work … and fast.
Whatever cohesion or trust that has to be built has to be done relatively quickly. If all of these new coaches aren't on the same page, pulling the rope together, how can the players be expected to?
Of the previously mentioned 19 teams, only six would go on to make the playoffs in the ensuing season after their changes, and all of those, such as the 1992 San Francisco 49ers and 2012 New England Patriots, were likely good teams no matter who was manning the helm.
And unfortunately, while six may have made the playoffs, four of the head coaches actually lost their jobs the next year. And seven more were gone just two seasons after overhauling their coaching staffs.
Meaning, it may be make or break time for Garrett.
[embeddedad0]
That's not to say it can't be done. For a game plan on how this might work, the Cowboys need look no further than last year's Jaguars. Technically, Jacksonville announced a new full-time head coach for 2017, which left them off of this list. But it was actually Doug Marrone, who served as the interim coach for the final two games of 2016. He retained offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and defensive coordinator Todd Wash before then adding eight new assistants: seven position coaches and a special teams coordinator.
As is well known, the Jaguars had a complete turnaround, going from a 3-13 record in 2016 to a 10-6 mark this past season before losing a heartbreaker to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. And they look poised to be a contender for the next few years to come.
That is the type of success Garrett and the Cowboys now hope to see by making these coaching moves. But if the players don't respond to the new staff, if Dallas doesn't improve on the disappointing 9-7 effort of 2017 and reach the playoffs, there will surely be more changes coming.
And it won't be seven more assistants taking the fall.
