Matt Eberflus has been appointed the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, marking a return to familiar grounds for the seasoned coach. Previously, Eberflus served as the head coach of the Chicago Bears for nearly three seasons, where he recorded a 14-32 tenure. His new role in Dallas comes after a notable stint with the Indianapolis Colts, where he significantly improved their defense from 2018 to 2021. Eberflus replaces Mike Zimmer, inheriting a defense that finished 28th in yards and 31st in points per game last season.
Eberflus's coaching journey is deeply entwined with the Cowboys. He worked as an assistant coach under Jason Garrett for seven years before taking up the role of defensive passing game coordinator in 2016-17. During his time with the Cowboys, he adapted to various defensive schemes, transitioning smoothly from a 3-4 defense under Rob Ryan to a 4-3 setup under Monte Kiffin and Rod Marinelli. This experience positions him well to tackle the challenges facing the Cowboys' defense.
His career took a significant leap when he was hired as the defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts in 2018. Under his guidance, the Colts' defense experienced remarkable improvement, climbing from No. 30 in scoring and total defense to No. 10 and No. 11, respectively. During his four-year tenure, the Colts consistently ranked among the top 10 in scoring defense thrice and twice achieved a top-10 ranking in yards defense.
Despite his struggles with the Bears, Eberflus's defensive acumen remains widely respected across the league. He was once considered a front-runner for the Cowboys' head coaching position before Brian Schottenheimer's appointment. His return to the Cowboys as defensive coordinator signals a new chapter for both Eberflus and the team as they seek to revitalize their defense.
In addition to Eberflus's hiring, the Cowboys have brought in former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen as their special teams coordinator. Together, they aim to bolster the Cowboys' coaching staff and enhance team performance.
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