The hiring of offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to serve as the new head coach of the Dallas Cowboys has triggered a series of moves that are not officially complete – in terms of his top three staffers – with the Saturday morning announcement that Dallas has added an offensive coordinator.
Dallas fans might be comfortable with Jerry and Stephen Jones supervising the addition of Matt Eberflus to be the defensive coordinator. Eberflus has experience as a head coach (his two-plus-year stint as head coach of the Bears) and before that as seven-years member of the Cowboys’ staff.
Same with Nick Sorensen, who was the 49ers defensive coordinator but who also has a background as a special-teams coordinator, which will be his role here.
But what about on offense?
Many in Cowboys Nation are pleased with the choice at offensive coordinator of Klayton Adams. … even though before his name surfaced this week, only the most passionate Arizona fan knew much about him.
Adams was the Cardinals’ offensive line coach for the last two seasons. His only other NFL experience came as a tight ends coach in Indianapolis for two seasons, and as an assistant offensive line coach for two years, also with the Colts.
Adams, 41, does have 14 years in the busines, mostly as an offensive line coach in college. He happens to be a product of Boise State – yes, some observers wrongly think that means Dallas is a sure bet to take Ashton Jeanty with the No. 12 pick in the coming NFL Draft – and he is clearly a “run-game guy.”
But make no mistake: While he will be Schottenheimer’s right-hand man (with Eberflus almost independently running the defense), Adams won’t be “in charge” of the offense. The head coach will serve as his own play-caller.
He will surely supervise the offensive line – he’s getting a great deal of credit for Arizona’s productive running game – and he will help Schottenheimer’s playbook and game plan installation.
But the offense will be “Schotty’s” offense. … hopefully for the better.