UPDATE: Cowboys “expected to” hire John Fassel as special teams coordinator under Mike McCarthy

There is no denying it. The Dallas Cowboys had one of the worst special teams groups in the NFL this past season. Keith O’Quinn’s group made mistake after mistake, and they came under particularly heavy fire after the team’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings. With the team moving on from head coach Jason Garrett and bringing in Mike McCarthy, there is obviously going to be change at the helm of the special teams group.

According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, that change could be a significant one. Apparently the Cowboys are targeting a top name to man that group - John Fassel.

A name of interest on Mike McCarthy’s staff with the Cowboys is Rams special teams coach John Fassel, according to sources. He’s had one of the top units the last few years. The Cowboys’ special teams struggled in 2019 with Brett Maher contributing 10 missed field goal attempts and they finished last in kickoff return average.

Fassel has been with the Los Angeles Rams for some time now, since before the team even left St. Louis for the city of angels. He was a holdover from Jeff Fisher’s staff there and has developed one of the better special teams groups in the NFL, not to mention he is the son of former New York Giants head coach Jim Fassel.

“Bones”, as John is known, produced many Pro Bowlers while serving as the special teams coach of the Rams. What’s more is that he also served as the team’s interim head coach when the organization fired Jeff Fisher before the 2016 season (their first in Los Angeles) finished.

This would be a significant move for the Cowboys as they are also reportedly trying to land Jim Tomsula as their defensive line coach. Mike McCarthy is wasting no time.

Update: 8:10pm ET

The Dallas Morning News reported that the Cowboys are in fact expected to hire Fassel. There you have it.