Yesterday the Cowboys announced the hiring of former Browns linebackers coach Matt Eberflus. A little later last night, the Browns announced that they were hiring four new assistant coaches. In addition, the Browns announced that they will retain defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson, running backs coach Gary Brown, tight ends coach Steve Hagen and offensive line coach George Warhop.
One of the new hires is Dwaine Board, who will be responsible for the defensive line, a position previously held by Bryan Cox under Rob Ryan. This means Bryan Cox is out as the defensive line coach in Cleveland.
Over the last few weeks, there had been speculation that Ryan may bring Cox and secondary coach Jerome Henderson as defensive assistants to Dallas with him. Henderson has obviously been re-signed, which leaves Bryan Cox as the odd man out in Cleveland, although there is no official word yet from the Browns on what will happen with him.
Bryan Cox just completed his second season as the Browns defensive line coach. He joined the Browns after spending three seasons on the New York Jets coaching staff as assistant defensive line coach (2006-08). Cox is a three-time All Pro and three-time Pro Bowl linebacker and brings the experience of a 12-year NFL career that is sure to get him a lot of respect from the Cowboys players.
This quote from the Cleveland Sports Examiner highlights what Cowboys fans could expect if Cox were to be hired in Dallas.
There may be fireworks in the locker room or on the field this year as Cox will light a fire under the defensive line to shut down the opponents' running game and get after their quarterback with a ferocity that exemplified his NFL career. And Cox is big, mean, and tough enough to demand it from anyone.
When was the last time somebody used the words "big, mean and tough" in the same sentence as "Dallas Cowboys defense"? Could Cox be on his way to Dallas right now, and if so, would you approve of this hiring?