Jerry Jones hinted there might be some changes to the coaching staff during his regular radio appearance yesterday.
"We'll give you better answers on that as we go over the next three weeks," Jones told The Fan 105.3, indicating that changes could occur during the Senior Bowl later this month. "That's pretty much the way I'll leave it."
Adam Schefter on ESPN this morning reported that the Jets and Cowboys are both interested in Tony Sparano and want to add him to their coaching staffs. That's a little more concrete than we've heard so far, although Sparano's name has been linked to the Cowboys for a while. So far, the thinking has been that both Tony Sparano and Todd Haley could be among the list of candidates for the Cowboys, should the Cowboys be looking for an offensive coordinator.
Sparano would be a great addition to beef up the running game, Todd Haley would be a great addition for the passing game. Both coaches have coached and had success in Dallas before, and hiring either of the two would be a good move by the Cowboys. But here's a surprising development: Earlier today, Adam Shefter tweeted that Sparano and Haley might be available as tag-team:
"Tony Sparano and Todd Haley have discussed joining forces in 2012 with Sparano coaching run game, Haley pass game, as they did in Dallas."
Jerry Jones has never been shy about paying his coaches top dollar, and that may just be what it'll take to get the Sparano/Haley tag-team to Dallas. Only one of the two can get the title of offensive coordinator, while the other would be relegated to an assistant role - unless the Cowboys were to get really creative with their coaching titles.
So what's your take on a potential Sparano/Haley tag-team in Dallas?
2 recs | 138 comments
I think this would take an already good offense and push it into near elite area in a
season or two.
StrosSouth - January 7, 2012
still need better OL talent
Terry - January 7, 2012
Or perhaps a new coach could get more out of the young guys that are already here
StrosSouth - January 7, 2012
I think it's both
I hate when people say “OH YOU DON’T NEED TWEAKS YOU NEED MORE TALENT!!!!” as if it’s an either/or proposition. I realistically think as good as this team could have been last year that they need some to replace some players that were just straight up terrible at their positions and they need to fix some of the boneheaded coaching decisions. Garrett Icing his own kicker? Shotgun at the goal line? Not going for the kill in New England? There’s ways to improve this team in all aspects. You know I’m throughly on the DeCastro bandwagon and if anything I’m pulling it. However, I think the coaching staff could stand to improve too.
Bringing in Todd Haley and Tony Sporano IMO, would be two excellent moves. Haley ran a brilliant passing game in Arizona, and I have no reason to think that he doesn’t have the weapons in Dallas. Sporano is a great OL coach and would be a welcome addition over Houck. They’ve both been head coaches, but aren’t likely to be head coaches again for another two or three years. They can provide the support and experience to a young coaching staff without the threat of usurping Garrett’s power like Norv would.
Omar Little - January 7, 2012
+1
what he said
just4fun - January 7, 2012 via Android app
Pay me 500k a year and you can title me waterboy. Wins not titles, matter.
I am all for Sparano here. Jason had his best year with Sparano. I also say HH needs to ride into the sunset. Job well done sir now enjoy your retirement.
football mensa - January 7, 2012
the world just might be ending.......
i agree with this
yehti - January 7, 2012 via mobile
Our Offensive Numbers Were Terrific
When they were here. But any chance either one could play safety?
NicklausLouis - January 7, 2012 via iPhone app
LMAO @ the safety comment. CLASSIC
djthumpl - January 7, 2012
if our offesne can score 50 pts every single game...
the defensive is not important any more!
but if and only if they can protect Romo, PERIOD!
sbnles - January 9, 2012
I like it that would be nice
But would Ray Sherman remain RB coach? Sporano would have a bigger role than that right? And I say make Haley the OC, Cardinals made the Super Bowl with him as their OC, right?
Nets2410 - January 7, 2012 via Android app
Skips Peete is the RB coach
Ray Sherman was the one who held the infamous “keepin it real Thursdays”
Sorry just throwin that out there :)
DonMoosavi - January 7, 2012
yea he was the WR coach right?
DavidLaFleur - January 7, 2012
Operative word being "was"
Its Jimmy Robinson coaching the WR’s now.
White Wolf - January 7, 2012
yep my bad meant skip peete thanks for that
Nets2410 - January 8, 2012 via Android app
They could very well be the difference in making the O elite and in taking some pressure off of JG.
He has too much on his plate for a novice HC.
pfloyd1 - January 7, 2012
I agree with this...
…Jimmy Johnson wants JG to be a “walk-around” coach and I think letting go of the OC title would be a good step toward this. He could then devote more time to clock management, motivation, defense and special teams…he could have his finger more on the pulse of the entire team instead of being so engrossed in the offense.
American Fan - January 7, 2012
OC spot in Dallas should sound good to either of them.
DIRE WOLF - January 7, 2012
Every time I see Haley I can't help but think of the Tuna get back punch.
I LMAO.
DIRE WOLF - January 7, 2012
here ya go, in all it's .gif glory!
jakezze01 - January 8, 2012
I've watched this a billion times and I still laugh
jakezze01 - January 8, 2012
I can't imagine Garrett would give that much control of his offense away
Sparano and Haley wouldn’t exactly be back-of-the-bus types that would write a little game plan, meekly and it to Garrett in hopes he might use some of it, and disappear on game day.
Garrett has his own ideas about his offense. If Sparano and Haley were to team up they’d go to a place like the Jets with a defensive-minded head coach who would let them do their thing.
Blue Eyed Devil - January 7, 2012
Dont the Jets already have an OC? So why would they go there?
StrosSouth - January 7, 2012
Schottenheimer is on his way out
Blue Eyed Devil - January 7, 2012
So is Sanchez if a miracle doesn't happen.
pfloyd1 - January 7, 2012
Rex the clown may not have long either.
DIRE WOLF - January 7, 2012
I think the Jets are making a mistake
In my opinion Schottenheimer squeezed blood from a turnip in 2009 and 2010. Those were 9-7 teams he took to the conference title. The team just isn’t that talented and they have the 20th best QB at the most important position in the game.
But as we’re seeing with our Cowboys it sure is easier to change the OC than to rebuild an entire side of the football. I expect whoever succeeds Brian will have no more success on his side of the ball than Rob Ryan did on his if the same players are brought back.
Blue Eyed Devil - January 7, 2012
Yeah this is pretty accurate.
Besides what’s with this Rob didn’t have success meme? His defense went from being ranked in the mid 20s to the middle of the pack…that’s pretty good IMO.
Omar Little - January 7, 2012
Eh... not so sure about that
another fanpost topic that’s upcoming once I get some time to write.
Blue Eyed Devil - January 7, 2012
"from mid20s to middle"...
not bad but WPhilips improved Texans from bottom to top
both had no offseason, same personels, one single season…
still don’t quite understand the politics behind the firing of WP
sbnles - January 9, 2012
Texans had better overall talent on their defensive roster and they are
also much younger than our defensive unit was/is
StrosSouth - January 9, 2012
i don't think so
there’s so much invested on him to give up that early, if alex smith did it, sanchez will as well
ratware - January 7, 2012
I put heir issues more the HC and Sanchez than Schottenheimer
StrosSouth - January 7, 2012
It's easier to find an OC than a franchise QB
So teams delude themselves into thinking it’s not the players but the coaches.
…not that that EVER happens in Dallas…
Blue Eyed Devil - January 7, 2012
Well...
Sanchez has been awful for a while but idiots (which most Jets fans are, that goes for any fan that roots for a New York team whose name ends in “-ets”) saw that he was in back to back AFC title games and thought OH MAN DIS GUY IS AWESUM!!!!! Same thing with Tebow during the middle of the season.
Omar Little - January 7, 2012
All I know is that the guys over on the Jets blog hate him and have hated him
for a long time
somebodyquiet - January 7, 2012
no he's not. unless Rex was lying to the press
just4fun - January 7, 2012 via Android app
their OC is getting killed and will most likely be fired
somebodyquiet - January 7, 2012
Brian schottenheimer is going no where
Rex Ryan is stubbornly behind him. saying he will only be leaving as a head coach
just4fun - January 7, 2012 via Android app
Well...
I’ve always hated most of his play calling when he was a coordinator, I thought it’d change as the head coach but it hasn’t. So I’m not sure the decision is up to him, Haley’s a fine choice to run the offense and he’s not going to be a HC anytime in the immediate future. Great choice as the O-Coordinator. Besides what makes you think Garrett is so hard headed?
Omar Little - January 7, 2012
I would support this to the max
I like Garrett but having established offensive assistants to bounce ideas off of and perhaps contribute during gametime so Garrett during his…mishaps where he makes his inexplicable mistakes
DonMoosavi - January 7, 2012
+1
Yes please…to either, and even moreso to both.
sportsfanatic21 - January 7, 2012
Looking hard at taking Bengals +4. What do you think OCC?
DIRE WOLF - January 7, 2012
Don't do it
TJ Yates is vastly underrated as a QB in Houston, all his numbers are very close to Andy Dalton’s. And with Johnson back to full health, Yates will have a big target to throw to.
One.Cool.Customer - January 7, 2012
I thought Yates had a couple of good games and then fell off or DC got film and shut him down.
DIRE WOLF - January 7, 2012
Yates is a 3rd string qb for a reason
Terry - January 7, 2012
hes a rookie
thebigham - January 7, 2012
I don't like doing the blockquote thingy to make point but here goes anyway
From Brian Burke:
One.Cool.Customer - January 7, 2012
IMO Dalton win the eye test, you put a lot more in stats than I do.
DIRE WOLF - January 7, 2012
lol. Either way, we’ll know a lot more in about three hours.
One.Cool.Customer - January 7, 2012
You win again.
Congrats, O.C.C.
hookerhome - January 7, 2012
I cannot conceal that I am gloating just a little bit right now. This feels almost as good as beating my nemesis, rabblerousr, week after week in our BTB pick ’em :-)
One.Cool.Customer - January 8, 2012
I also gave you props for beating KD in his own contest.
You were the top front-page writer in KD’s 10-for-10 contest and even smoked him when I did the calculation to only count each person’s best ten games.
hookerhome - January 10, 2012
Beats McGee
and he was a fifth rounder . . . demonstrates what a mistake McGee was by Jerry
Iowacowboy - January 7, 2012
I took the Bengals on the money line
This is a home coming game for Andy Dalton. Dalton, a Houston native. The Texans have come into the game on a 3 game losing streak, and Yates is playing with a supposed shoulder separation.
Rohpuri - January 7, 2012 via mobile
I'm taking Bengals +4 for a C-note.
DIRE WOLF - January 7, 2012
I wish I had a C-note to gamble away
I wouldn’t have put it on the Bengals though
I am Ironman!!! - January 7, 2012
Bengals will win
Terry - January 7, 2012
That would be a great start to this off season
djthumpl - January 7, 2012
maybe we will hire sparano, but i have hard time believing that Garrett will let him call offense
Sparano led one of the most conservative offenses in Miami, and 2 years ago, there wasnt team in NFL that took less downfield shots in NFL… I dont believe in this conservative approach…thats opposite of Coryell offense and what JG believe as OC…
Sparana as running game coordinator? sure, but I doubt in him as OC
orli - January 7, 2012
yeah but look who he had at QB....
That is not exactly a list of great arms…..
I am Ironman!!! - January 7, 2012
But...
What about Jimmy Robinson? He’s WR/Asst. HC. So how does having him affect bringing on Sparano or Haley or both?
Allan Uy - January 7, 2012 via mobile
Yes he is Assistant HC
And that’s a great question. Talk about confusing the ranks. Jimmy Robinson is the Assistant HC, but works for his boss the Offensive Coordinator, who works for his boss the Assistant HC.
White Wolf - January 7, 2012
I can see one of them being an OC (and would be thrilled)
but both of them? At some point, we’d have too many cooks in kitchen.
ScottB1985 - January 7, 2012
i could see Haley as OC and sparano OL/RB
IRONRAVEN - January 7, 2012
If this happens we defn need to get DeCastro!
thebigham - January 7, 2012
Dream come true
Admiral Dallas - January 7, 2012
I can't say I would be opposed.
I don’t see it happening, but Sparano could replace Houck as running game coordinator and Todd Haley could either take over for John Garrett as passing game coordinator or simply be added as a guy with a different title. The more good coaches the better.
If I had to choose one, give me Sparano.
Creasy729 - January 7, 2012
My only problem with that scenario would be "too many cooks in the kitchen."
Two Garretts, Sparano, Haley, Robinson…
Admiral Dallas - January 7, 2012
Well that's ultimately why I don't see it happening.
I doubt Garrett actually wants those guys to come in and also contribute heavily to the gameplan. I do think that we could actually hire both and do just fine since Sparano and Haley can both coach position groups or do other quality control stuff, but if they want the influence I imagine they do, I don’t think they will find that opportunity in Dallas.
Creasy729 - January 7, 2012
would love these moves.
salas88 - January 7, 2012 via mobile
Well, it would be interesting. Get the O line in order, and these guys would have a ton
to work with. I’ve realized that I was too hopeful that RR could make something out of nothing on D, but the O, with a couple of modifications, could be great.
Fernie67 - January 7, 2012
thebigham - January 7, 2012
He did make something out of nothing
He had a defense that was in the middle of the pack despite having a sieve starting at cornerback. He went from having a defense being ranked in the high 20s to the middle of the pack. He did make something out of nothing.
Omar Little - January 7, 2012
It's Garrett's call to make
if he wants one or both or none.Most fans think he is a little overloaded with resposibility now.
If we hadn’t called that TO on Bailey’s kick we would be plus one game.
I don’t know how they feel about our O line coach but it’s apparent that a bunch of posters think he needs to be gone.
TCB Orange Dino - January 7, 2012
I disagree
NYHorn - January 7, 2012
Todd Haley and Rob Ryan on the same sideline
I have a sick feeling we’ll see one of them punch the other out.
Rohpuri - January 7, 2012 via mobile
Well that's good for entertainment value if nothing else
me gusta - January 7, 2012 via mobile
I've got Ryan in that fight
Admiral Dallas - January 7, 2012
If he falls down, he'll never get up. Be like the little brother on Christmas Story.
DIRE WOLF - January 7, 2012
Unless he falls down on Haley.
Kevin L - January 7, 2012
Little Bro on Christmas Story
. . . and who is the guy with the tongue stuck to the pole?
Iowacowboy - January 7, 2012
Well, we can’t say we won’t be an entertaining bunch.
Kevin L - January 7, 2012
I'm not so sure on having an OC duo
Idk, I could be wrong but it just seems overly complicated.
me gusta - January 7, 2012 via mobile
I don't think that it necessarily does
But when your head coach wants to be the OC himself, and when you have an assistant head coach who has some playcalling duties…
At first thought, I loved this idea—and in a way I still do. But you have to shift some power away from some people to do so. Jimmy Robinson deserves his asst. head coach title, and I don’t think Jason is going to strip the passing-game-coordinator title from his brother John.
Admiral Dallas - January 7, 2012
Yeah I agree.
I think one can work, but both won’t work without John finding work elsewhere.
Creasy729 - January 7, 2012
While we are hiring coaches
Can we get Jack Del Rio to coach the linebackers?
nospinzonefactor - January 7, 2012
Matt Eberflus is the linebacker coach, and he's done a fantastic job
Don’t be surprised if he takes Ryan’s place when he’s finally hired away
Admiral Dallas - January 7, 2012
He will most likely go with Rob to be his DC.
Rena - January 7, 2012
I don't see Rob going anywhere for a while.
His demeanor is tough to swallow and with the calamity that the Jets are becoming, I can’t see too many GMs willing to stick their necks out for a guy who has never coordinated an elite defense.
Creasy729 - January 7, 2012
All for it.
No matter who, Garrett needs help NOW.
stubabe - January 7, 2012
So not a fan, could be wrong, but sign me up for not this
KD Drummond - January 7, 2012
whoa that was a confusing sentence
Have you been studying jerryspeak
DonMoosavi - January 7, 2012
Someone has to.
Kevin L - January 7, 2012
at the College in Winterhold?
Blue Eyed Devil - January 7, 2012
Alduin is kicking my face in right now.
Nickthegrip - January 7, 2012
stand back at let the other guys handle him.
if hes too hard, or turn the diffculty down for that fight
yehti - January 7, 2012 via mobile
+1
This seems more like a Jerry move than a JG move. If JG wants them then that’s fine with me but if Jerry is trying to push things on Garrett then that’s not cool.
somebodyquiet - January 7, 2012
In agreement I would be for this not to happen.
WTF with the channeling Yoda….
I’d be ok with Sparano, but not Haley.
Nickthegrip - January 7, 2012
I disagree
with those that do not support KD’s statement.
staubachfan - January 7, 2012
I think us draft smith last year is a clear sign JG has a lot of say in things.
Any moves that aren’t obvious Jerry moves Ill be behind. In JG I trust.
thebigham - January 7, 2012
Sparano, yes as OL coach and running game coordinator
Haley, in what capacity?
MicThaRock - January 7, 2012 via Android app
There's already a WR coach/Asst HC in place
Unless Garrett fires his brother or gives up the OC title, I don’t see where Haley would fit.
MicThaRock - January 7, 2012 via Android app
Great idea, can't see Garrett going for it, that's alot of strong
personalities on the offensive side of the ball. I will be curious to see if he would be in favor of it.
juniorb - January 7, 2012
This would require Jason Garrett to demote his brother John Garrett
who is “passing co-ordinator”
TARHEEL PAUL - January 7, 2012
It's a business, Paul.
Wes Phillips stayed with the team after his dad was fired. I think Garrett’s going to be okay with demoting John Garrett to assistant to the offensive coordinator.
Omar Little - January 7, 2012
im not saying he wouldn't do it
its just a title anyways. We all know JG ran the show. I would love it. The more good coaches the better. Haley is such a freaking prick though.
TARHEEL PAUL - January 7, 2012
You wanted Bart Scott...
So what the players have to be asswipes but the coaches can’t be? ;)
Anyways, yeah Haley is a personality and an ego to deal with…but he’s damn good at running an aerial attack. His talent obscures his personality, for me though.
Omar Little - January 7, 2012
Touche my friend
I don’t really want Scott, it was just a suggestion for depth and attitude. I think JG could handle Haley’s personality.
TARHEEL PAUL - January 7, 2012
He could use a little personality as far as I'm concerned...
There aren’t a whole lot of prima donna’s on the offense, so Haley might be able to get them fired up. I imagine him liking Miles and Dez quite a bit. He’d probably have fun with Murray too. Hell if they get Haley I’d almost like to see them bring back Marty B for one more year so Haley can yell at him.
Omar Little - January 7, 2012
You've won me over
Im down with this.
TARHEEL PAUL - January 7, 2012
Great moves!
I’m glad Jerry’s agreeing with my “hire Haley” position, Sporano would be another welcome addition too. You need good coaches and good players to be successful. I think Houck has proven that it’s his time to go, Sporano was always pretty good with the running game and OL and I’d like to have him back in that role. Lets hope they hire them next week and Sporano convinces Jerry to go get DeCastro!
All they need next is a new DBs coordinator.
Omar Little - January 7, 2012
We haven't talked about this guy a lot but this is my most wanted assistant coach
Dave Toub, he’s been the special teams coach for the Chicago bears and now is a free agent. He’s interviewing with the Dolphins for their HC spot but if he doesn’t get it, I would love to see us go after him. His unit in Chicago has always been great
somebodyquiet - January 7, 2012
Devin Hester helps...
But the Chicago special teams were always good. When people wanted Joe D gone, I was always skeptical. Sure the special teams sucked this year, but he’s one of the best in the business…who can you get that’s better? Dave Toub would be fit the bill, IMO.
Omar Little - January 7, 2012
completely agree
i think he gets a lot play because of Hester. But, i can remember them doing very well with guys like Daniel Manning too.
TARHEEL PAUL - January 7, 2012
Not only Manning but his coverage has always been pretty good too.
I just saw that Dallas ranked 25th in special teams DVOA last season…they were well above average in offense, about average defensively…this seems to be the biggest problem. Yeah Joe D’s gotta go.
Omar Little - January 7, 2012
and i hate it
because i really like joe d. But it is time to move on in my opinion
TARHEEL PAUL - January 7, 2012
Yeah...
He hasn’t had the best players to deal with but his coverage is downright terrible. Teams start at least 30 or so every drive and we blame Rob if they score. Too many KRs returning the ball from deep in the endzone and other mistakes. Time to say goodbye.
Omar Little - January 7, 2012
I'm with the decision to replace Joe D.
Blocked punts/kicks lost us games this season (Jets). Our return game was terrible both punt and kick. Our coverage was nothing fantastic.
Spin the wheel and try again. He’s had 3 years to make a difference but hasn’t.
Blue Eyed Devil - January 7, 2012
3 year is enough for a player or coach to show progres
He did improve ST from the joke it was before he got here, but it’s not enough year over pear progress. On the flip side, you can’t coach up stupid too much. Ball has been playing ST how many years and still doesn’t know he can’t be the first to touch a ball if he goes out of bounds? He can only work with what we have but I think it is time to move on.
StarCity - January 7, 2012
Yes please. He is phenomenal. Bringing him in would be a big step.
Maybe he can convince Garrett to use a third round pick on Joe Adams.
Creasy729 - January 7, 2012
Love Adams, but I can't support picking him in the 3rd, we need to many other positions badly.
Rena - January 7, 2012
An understandable position.
I tend to think though that if we go defense with our first two picks, we can spare a pick in the third to improve our STs greatly (and they are a hole within themselves) and invest in our offense similar to how the Packers do. If we really want this offense to evolve to elite, I think we need a true burner and a guy to really allow us to utilize different multi-WR sets. Also, with the injuries we have incurred at WR in the past year, I think we realize how important depth can be at that position.
Plus, it’s not like we are going to fill in all our holes in the draft anyways. FA will have to take care of a significant part of that as well. A third or fourth rounder for a guy like Joe Adams seems pretty justifiable to me.
Creasy729 - January 7, 2012
He would be fun to watch in the return game.
Rena - January 7, 2012
Need I remind you of our 2009 special teams draft? Pass.
matt575 - January 7, 2012 via mobile
So I guess you just missed the entire part of my post where I talk of the offense.
I guess you also don’t understand the difference between using one pick on a position (or multiple in Adams’s case) and using a whole bunch of picks on a unit.
Creasy729 - January 8, 2012
colts set to interview tom ciskowski for gm position...arrg (
IRONRAVEN - January 7, 2012
Didn't they already do that?
Omar Little - January 7, 2012
Ouch
That hurts
NYHorn - January 7, 2012
love it!
I still want Garrett as an OC, but Sparano and Haley were great assistants. I would love to see the tag team. In this case, more coaching is better coaching. Takes a little bit extra off Garrett’s plate while leaving him playcalling duties and general offensive strategy. Absolutely love this. Get ’er done!
speedmetal - January 7, 2012
Haley close to rejoining the cards...
scandrick32 - January 7, 2012 via mobile
Schwartz is annoying as hell
slimbig - January 7, 2012
wrong thread
slimbig - January 7, 2012
You can post that anywhere and it's appropriate in my opinion.
jakezze01 - January 8, 2012
shore up the interior offensive line
No argument that good coaches matter. Just don’t forget to fix the line.
jdg4660 - January 7, 2012 via mobile
As it stood this season
John Garrett – Tight Ends Coach/Passing Game Coordinator
Hudson Houck – Offensive Line Coach/Running Game Coordinator
John Garrett will most likely stay, and Jimmy Robinson is the WR coach. So Haley would probably come on as Passing Game Coordinator while Tony Sparano gets the Offensive Line Coach/Running Game Coordinator title that Hud carries currently
ProBowlFactory - January 7, 2012
Yeah right!
I seriously doubt that either would want to return to the circus that is the Dallas jonses! Besides what does it tell you when the team is thinking offense when they should be in all intents and purposes be thinking DEFENSE?? After all the defense was the obvious problem this year right?
Datschu - January 8, 2012 via mobile
Sure, let's bring more offensive coaches in
After all, the offense wasn’t able to stop the Giants’ offense (twice) and once with a 12 point lead with 4 minutes and change left in the 4th quarter, the Eagles’ offense (twice), the Lions’ offense, the Cardinals’ offense, the Patriots after dominating or Marc Sanchez. Yup, the offense needs to get better because the defense can stop any offense in the league.
Please note the heavy sarcasm
CowboysFan_inDC - January 9, 2012
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Blogging The Boys to post a comment.