“I totally underestimated the impact of not being with the team in the early spring and during the training camp,” said Jones. “With the change in the coach, and if you want, especially on the defensive side of the line, if you want, a change in technique, a change in some philosophy there.”
In all, the Cowboys earned 473 points this season – good enough for No. 28 in the NFL and the worst mark in franchise history. They also came in 31st in the league in race defense, allowing an average of 159 yards per game.
These statistics, among others, have led to speculation about Nolan’s employment status since October – speculation that Cowboys executives have largely avoided. Earlier on Friday morning, McCarthy was asked about Nolan and said he was still evaluating his entire team.
“That’s what we’re working on. We’re working on all the coaches, frankly. That’s what this process is about. You have to understand the emotion, the disappointment of what 6-10 is – regardless of COVID and all the other challenges we’ve had I think it’s important to put everything on the table, and that’s the process, and it’s the same thing that I’ve been doing every year as a head coach. “
McCarthy said his exit interviews will continue for the next week, but clearly a decision has been made about Nolan.
It is too early to speculate on who the Cowboys will hire to replace him, or what direction the defense will go from here. But after Rod Marinelli and Kris Richard left last January, they are ready to have their third defensive coordinator in three years.