Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys React to McCarthy’s Exit with Major Coaching Overhaul

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The Dallas Cowboys are shaking up their coaching staff even further after the abrupt departure of head coach Mike McCarthy.
According to NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, “Sources: The #Titans are hiring former #Cowboys STC John Fassel as their new Special Teams Coordinator. Colt Anderson was informed he’s out.”
“With Mike McCarthy out in Dallas, Fassel was free to explore opportunities and now heads to Tennessee. His special teams units consistently ranked among the NFL’s best.”
Last week, the Cowboys made the decision to part ways with McCarthy, ending his five-season tenure.
McCarthy, who posted a 49-34 record with the Cowboys, tied for the eighth-best in the NFL alongside the Minnesota Vikings, leaves behind a mixed legacy. During his time in Dallas, McCarthy led the team to three straight 12-win seasons (2021-2023), a feat the Cowboys hadn’t achieved since their Super Bowl-winning years of the early ’90s.
However, despite these impressive regular-season results, the team’s failure to reach a conference championship game during this stretch—despite consistently strong seasons—left McCarthy’s future in doubt.
The Cowboys made history as the first team since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger to win 12 games in three consecutive seasons without advancing to the conference title game.
This anomaly was largely attributed to key injuries to quarterback Dak Prescott, who suffered season-ending injuries in both 2020 (a fractured ankle) and 2024 (a torn hamstring), keeping the team from reaching its postseason potential.
After a 23-19 home loss to the Washington Commanders in Week 18, which sealed the Cowboys’ 7-10 finish, McCarthy made it clear he wanted to continue with Dallas despite his contract expiring on January 14.
However, it seems Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was unable to come to a satisfactory agreement with McCarthy, leading to his dismissal. McCarthy, who is now interviewing with other teams, leaves behind a team in transition as the Cowboys quickly search for a new head coach to lead them forward and also, apparently, a special teams coordinator.
Meanwhile, the Titans have made a significant move of their own, hiring former Cowboys STC Fassel in the same position.
Fassel replaces Colt Anderson, who was widely criticized for his performance in the role last season. Fassel brings extensive experience to the Titans, having coached special teams for the Dallas Cowboys from 2020 to 2024 under McCarthy.
Prior to his time in Dallas, Fassel held special teams coaching positions with the Baltimore Ravens (2005-2007), Oakland Raiders (2008-2011), and the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams (2012-2019).
In 2016, Fassel also served as the interim head coach for the Rams after Jeff Fisher’s departure. His depth of experience and respected reputation in the field is expected to be a major asset for the Titans, who are looking to bounce back from a disastrous 3-14 season.

Cowboys interview Leslie Frazier for head coaching vacancy

FRISCO, Texas – The Cowboys have conducted their third head coaching interview since moving on from Mike McCarthy, with Seattle Seahawks assistant head coach Leslie Frazier completing his interview on Monday.

Frazier, 65, was the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings from 2011-2013. He took over as the interim for Brad Childress in 2010 and was retained for the following three seasons, where he posted a 21-33-1 record as head coach.

After his first full season as head coach in 2011 ended with a 3-13 record, Frazier led the Vikings to a 10-6 record the following year, the biggest single-season turnaround in franchise history and one that saw him finish fourth in the NFL Coach of the Year Award voting.

Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer hired as Frazier’s replacement in Minnesota in 2014 where he was the head coach for seven seasons.

A majority of Frazier’s career in the NFL has come as a defensive coordinator, holding that role for the Cincinnati Bengals, Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Buffalo Bills. In 13 seasons as a defensive coordinator, Frazier coordinated defenses have been in top 10 in total defensive yards allowed seven times.

The 2021 Bills defense was especially strong under Frazier, leading in the league in total yards allowed and points allowed plus finishing third in takeaways. That season, Buffalo would come up just short to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC divisional round and finish the year 11-6.

In his playing days, Frazier was a cornerback who went undrafted out of Alcorn State in 1981 and would be signed by the Chicago Bears where he spent all five seasons of his NFL career. Frazier led the Bears in interceptions (six) in 1985 when Chicago won Super Bowl XX. Just over two decades later, he would go on to win Super Bowl XLI as assistant head coach with the Indianapolis Colts over the Bears.

Frazier now joins former Jets head coach Robert Saleh and Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore as the candidates that Dallas has officially interviewed thus far for the head coaching vacancy.

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