Report: The Dallas Cowboys have fired defensive coordinator Mike Nolan after one year with team

The Dallas Cowboys will not be playing in the Super Wildcard Round this weekend and their defense is a big reason for that.

Much has been said about the number of injuries that the team dealt with on the offensive side of the ball throughout the season, but they still managed to find moments where they looked legitimate and helped the team win. While the Cowboys began to finally generate some turnovers on the defensive side of the ball after their bye, they ultimately were still allowing other teams too much success.

Consider that in the last game of the season the Cowboys let a New York Giants offense that looked suspect at best for most of the year completely dominate them. Ultimately this all felt like it could only end one way and that proverbial shoe dropped on Friday afternoon.

The Dallas Cowboys have reportedly fired defensive coordinator Mike Nolan

Throughout the season the Cowboys allowed more big-time performances and points to be scored against them than most groups to ever suit up for the franchise. Players expressed frustration with the scheme and it felt like it was too much to run back in 2021.

Often times in these situations the person at the top is who has to pay for it and that is what happened to the defense. It was reported on Friday afternoon that the Cowboys have fired defensive coordinator Mike Nolan.

It has been well told how close Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy is with Mike Nolan so this was surely not an easy thing for him to do. However, nobody needs a reminder how much of a business the NFL is and the business here is rather obvious.

Dallas looked disorganized at best for a majority of the season on defense. They clearly need a reboot on that side of the ball both in coaching and to some degree in personnel. It appears as if they are taking the steps towards that.

It is a huge demerit on Mike McCarthy as the team’s head coach that a defensive coordinator whom he hand picked is someone he is having to let go after the first season that they were in charge. We will see who the Cowboys ultimately bring in to man the unit or if they promote someone internally.

Who should be the Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator in 2021?

Update: 4:48pm ET

It was reported by NFL Network shortly after the Mike Nolan news that the Cowboys have also fired defensive line coach Jim Tomsula.

The Cowboys lost both Gerald McCoy and Trysten Hill to season-ending injuries this season. Dontari Poe did not work out for them. While Aldon Smith and Randy Gregory both had nice resurgences, it seems as if management felt change was needed.