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Hard Knocks Shows Cowboys Explain Matt Eberflus’ Firing as DC Search Expands

Dallas is interviewing a wide field of candidates to reset a defense that finished near the bottom of the league.

Overview

  • An in-season Hard Knocks episode captures head coach Brian Schottenheimer telling staff that Matt Eberflus was out, calling him an incredible person but saying the football wasn’t right.
  • Owner Jerry Jones says not continuing with Eberflus was one of his hardest decisions and points to the team’s defensive inconsistency in 2025.
  • The Cowboys officially released Eberflus on January 6 after a 7-9-1 season in which the defense allowed 30.1 points per game and 377 yards per game, surrendering a franchise-record 511 points.
  • Dallas has launched a broad coordinator search, interviewing or requesting interviews with candidates including Christian Parker, Charlie Bunnen, Jim Leonhard, Daronte Jones, Ephraim Banda, Jonathan Gannon, Aaron Whitecotton and Zach Orr.
  • Schottenheimer urged coaches to check on Eberflus, reach out with support, and keep player exit interviews on track as the transition began.