Report: Running backs coach Gary Brown is staying in Dallas

The Dallas Cowboys have seen a mass exodus of coaching assistants on the offensive side of the football, and running backs coach Gary Brown was thought to be one of them sometime in the near future. He was rumored to be heading out to join Jon Gruden in Oakland. It looks like he’s staying put after Oakland and Houston showed interest.

Brown has been coaching the running backs since 2013, and has had a couple of big successes with players like DeMarco Murray and Ezekiel Elliott. Of course, those guys had a bunch of talent and were running behind a pretty good line. But, Todd Archer reminds us that Brown has had some success with lesser talents, too.

In 2015, Darren McFadden finished fourth in the NFL in rushing with 1,089 yards despite not becoming the lead back until the sixth game of the season. With Elliott suspended for six games in 2017, the Cowboys still managed to run the ball effectively with Alfred Morris and Rod Smith.

Smith’s development as a solid third-down back, as well as Keith Smith’s seamless transition from linebacker to fullback two years ago also speaks well on Brown’s coaching ability.

Linebackers coach Matt Eberflus and safeties coach Greg Jackson are two assistant coaches the Cowboys would like to keep. We know that Eberflus might get interest as a defensive coordinator elsewhere once the head coach hiring is done in the NFL. It could be a while before that situation resolves itself.

Along with Miles Austin, there is another candidate for the wide receiver position.