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UPDATE: It’s all but official, the Cowboy are hiring Mike Nolan for the defensive coordinator spot.
A source tells @dmn_cowboys Cowboys plan is to hire Mike Nolan as DC confirming report by @nflnetwork
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) January 6, 2020
The #Cowboys new defensive coordinator is going to be Mike Nolan, which also leaves the #Saints with a key spot to fill on their D, too. https://t.co/EbSqDLQQYm
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 6, 2020
END UPDATE
Now that Mike McCarthy is the man in charge for the Cowboys, his first task is putting together a quality staff. That usually starts with figuring out who you want for offensive and defensive coordinator. On both those fronts, there has been some speculation coming out about the names Kellen Moore and Mike Nolan. Moore, of course, was the Cowboys offensive coordinator under Jason Garrett last year, and there is some talk that McCarthy could be interested in keeping him. But that is very thin at the moment and nobody should be putting any money down that it will come to fruition, at least just yet.
On the other side of the ball, Mike Nolan’s name came up pretty quickly as a defensive coordinator target. McCarthy and Nolan have worked together in the past and could possibly work together again in Dallas. In fact, it appears as if Nolan even thinks that might be the case.
Saints LB coach Mike Nolan has been named as one of McCarthy’s targets as the next #Cowboys DC.
— Andrew Doak (@AndrewDoak_WWL) January 6, 2020
He was being congratulated by family & friends in the Saints parking lot today.
When @sayneykid asked if he was headed to Dallas, Nolan’s response was:
“I think so.”
There was also this:
The #Cowboys are zeroing in on Mike Nolan as their defensive coordinator, sources tell me and @RapSheet. Nothing done yet, but heading that way. An important hire for new coach Mike McCarthy, who was Nolan’s original OC with the #49ers.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 6, 2020
And this:
From a source in New Orleans on news Mike Nolan headed to #Cowboys to join Mike McCarthy: “That’s what I’ve heard in the building... Mike came by and said goodbye. I’d say it’s pretty certain”
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) January 6, 2020
It certainly seems like Nolan is in the driver’s seat for the DC position. For those who wanted a change from the current defensive coaching regime in Dallas, it looks like you’re going to get it. Whether Nolan can deliver the goods if he is hired is another question altogether.