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Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus of the Dallas Cowboys looks on prior to the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Sept. 14, 2025. Sam Hodde/Getty Images
The Dallas Cowboys will have to hope a fourth time is the charm after firing defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus on Tuesday, which will usher in the fourth consecutive year of needing a new defensive coordinator.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones officially announced the move after a season where the Dallas defense was a roadblock to success, with a franchise record 511 points allowed. The Cowboys finished 7–9–1, missed the playoffs, and gave up 30.1 points per game.
“Having known Matt Eberflus for decades now, we have tremendous respect and appreciation for him as a coach and a person. After reviewing and discussing the results of our defensive performance this season, though, it was clear that change is needed,” Jones said in a statement on Monday. “This is the first step in that process, and we will continue that review as it applies to reaching our much higher expectations.”
Since 2023, Dallas has been through Dan Quinn, Mike Zimmer, and now Eberflus—all three of whom had prior head coaching experience. Here’s who the Cowboys could tab next as the defensive coordinator.
Brian Flores
The Minnesota Vikings’ defensive coordinator has put together a strong defense since 2024, and Dallas found out the hard way in a 34–26 loss to the Vikings in 2025. Flores previously led the Miami Dolphins as the head coach, and he is easily considered one of the top defensive minds in the league.
Jim Schwartz
The Cleveland Browns’ defensive coordinator could be on the move after the firing of head coach Kevin Stefanski. Schwartz led one of the most dangerous defenses in the league with the Browns over the past three seasons, and he previously led the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense during their 2017 Super Bowl-winning season. In addition, Schwartz previously served as head coach with the Detroit Lions from 2009 to 2013.
Jonathan Gannon
As a former Eagles defensive coordinator, the Cowboys could go for Jonanthan Gannon, who was just fired from his head coaching job with the Arizona Cardinals. Gannon’s stint with the Eagles consisted of a Super Bowl appearance in the 2022 season.
Raheem Morris
The recent Atlanta Falcons head coach also has Super Bowl experience as a defensive coordinator. Morris led the Los Angeles Rams’ defense from 2021 to 2023 and helped the Rams win it all in the 2021 season. While Morris’s latest stint as a head coach didn’t work out, he had previously been with the Falcons from 2015 to 2020 as an assistant.
Jim Leonhard
While the Cowboys may have to wait on this one because of the playoffs, the Denver Broncos’ assistant head coach and pass game coordinator could be a candidate. Leonhard and Brian Schottenheimer notably spent three seasons together with the New York Jets from 2009 to 2011, and Leonhard has prior defensive coordinator experience from the college ranks at Wisconsin between 2017 and 2022.
Aden Durde
The Seattle Seahawks’ defensive coordinator could be highly sought after, too, but the postseason may cause a wait for an interested team. Durde, who previously worked as a defensive line coach with the Cowboys, has the Seahawks allowing a league-best 17.2 points per game.
Don ‘Wink’ Martindale
The recent Michigan defensive coordinator has seen success in his time with the Wolverines and previously with the New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens. During his Ravens tenure, he served as linebacker coach on the 2012 Super Bowl-winning team before his move up to defensive coordinator in 2018.
Steve Wilks
While things didn’t work out for Wilks with the New York Jets as the defensive coordinator, he has led successful defenses before. That included the San Francisco 49ers in 2023, when the team reached the Super Bowl.
Patrick Graham
If the Cowboys can’t land Flores, Graham could make sense since he worked under Flores as the defensive coordinator with the Dolphins in 2019. Graham has been the defensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders since 2022.
Leslie Frazier
The Seahawks assistant head coach could be a great addition to the Cowboys staff. Frazier enjoyed success as the Buffalo Bills’ defensive coordinator between 2017 and 2022, and previously with the Baltimore Ravens in 2016.
Matthew Davis is an experienced, award-winning journalist who has covered major professional and college sports for years. His writing has appeared on Heavy, the Star Tribune, and The Catholic Spirit. He has a degree in mass communication from North Dakota State University.
