It had been 16 years since a Cowboys coordinator or assistant coach was hired away from the Cowboys as a head coach. The last time that happened was in 2008 when Tony Sparano was poached from the Cowboys in 2008 to become head coach of the dolphins.
When your team is playing well it usually means you should be prepared to see assistant coaches being hired somewhere else as HCs. The Cowboys have had many former assistants become very successful head coaches:
- Dan Reeves- went to coach the broncos and falcons, taking both teams to SBs although never winning one.
- Mike Ditka- became head coach of the bears and led that great ‘85 bears team to a SB win. Later coached at NO as well.
- Gene Stallings- also a former Cowboys assistant who left to become the cardinals HC and later won a national championship as HC at Alabama.
- Dave Wannstedt- after the Cowboys won SB 27, he leftJimmy’s staff to become beats HC.
- Butch Davis- another Jimmy assistant who also be came a HC (can’t remember where, lol
- Tony Sparano- left Wades staff to take the Mia job in 2008
I know there are a few I’m leaving off. Losing assistants to HC jobs usually means your team has been winning so it’s mostly a good thing. We haven’t had many assistants leave for HC jobs the last three decades.
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