Report: Marc Colombo out as Cowboys o-line coach, Joe Philbin “expected to” join team in similar role

It was reported on Wednesday that the Dallas Cowboys are looking for a “fresh start” when it comes to their coaching staff, Mike McCarthy is looking to do things big in his return to the NFL.

It remains to be seen what of the old guard stays with the team in terms of staff members that worked under Jason Garrett, but it’s being reported that one will not. According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, the Cowboys are moving on from offensive line coach Marc Colombo.

Marc Colombo will not return as head Cowboys offensive line coach under Mike McCarthy, according to a source. Joe Philbin is expected to reunite with McCarthy in an offensive line role. Philbin coached the offensive line for McCarthy in Green Bay. Colombo, who took over as line coach midway through the 2018 season, has a contract through 2021. He oversaw an offensive that had greatly improved pass protection in 2019 and had the fifth-ranked run game.

Colombo played for the Cowboys and rose through the organization to ultimately become the team’s offensive line coach midway through 2018 when they fired Paul Alexander. Bringing in Joe Philbin seems to be the plan that Mike McCarthy has for the group that many believe is the best in the NFL along the offensive line.

Philbin served as Mike McCarthy’s offensive coordinator in Green Bay from 2007 to 2011 (which obviously includes the 2010 season when they won Super Bowl XLV) before he went on to become the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. He returned to McCarthy’s staff before the 2018 season in the same role and ultimately filled in as the team’s interim head coach when McCarthy was fired.

Assuming that the Cowboys get the coaches they are reportedly interested in, they will now have, besides McCarthy, four coaches with NFL head coaching experience: Mike Nolan (San Francisco), Jim Tomsula (San Francisco), Joe Philbin (Miami), and John Fassel (Los Angeles Rams as an interim).

It is very clear that Mike McCarthy wants leadership and in the case of Joe Philbin some familiarity on his staff. Also it’s worth mentioning that McCarthy wants Kellen Moore to return to the team (and Kellen reportedly is leaning in that direction), but with the man who coordinated McCarthy’s offenses for so long in Green Bay, how will that work?

Perhaps the trio of McCarthy, Moore, and Philbin can all make something work together for the Cowboys. It will be interesting to see how it all unfolds.

Update: 5:25pm ET

According to NFL Network’s Jane Slater, Marc Colombo requested a meeting with the Joneses once all of the changes became apparent.

Ultimately they still parted ways.