Cowboys: Mike Nolan understands his job status is better than most
The Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator is very lucky to be working under Mike McCarthy.
How many second chances does Mike Nolan deserve? The Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator as transformed a unit that showed so much potential into a unit that’s filled with issues among so many other flaws.
The Cowboys are 4-9 and have not won consecutive games all season. Despite the fact they’re struggling, they remain in the playoff hunt thanks to the dreaded NFC East race.
For that reason, Nolan remains employed. However, don’t think for one second he isn’t shocked that he still remains calling the plays after a lost season.
Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Nolan on if he expects to remain the team’s DC next season: “I don’t even think about it. I take it a day at a time.”
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) December 14, 2020
Mike Nolan’s struggles are well stacked against him at this point
In a way, Dallas’ season has been overdue to the concerns outside of the field. Injuries and a pandemic have cost the franchise multiple wins while adding new replacements is far easier said than done. Seven of the 10 Cowboys offensive linemen have spent time on injured reserve.
Meanwhile, Dallas’ top three cornerbacks all were unavailable this past week during the team’s 30-7 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
The defensive struggles have allowed a league-high in points per game (30.2) while also allow an average of 162.7 rushing yards per game. Meanwhile, Mike McCarthy is going likely going to be back in 2021 after Stephen Jones announced on Dallas’ 105.3 The Fan he wouldn’t be a “one and done” in 2020.
“There will be absolutely no change with coach (Mike) McCarthy,” Jones said Monday. “I am surprised someone would question Mike, the unprecedented situation everyone’s been in.”
However, according to Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones, there’s no ruling that the defense won’t be completely different after the season.
“I will say this, like anybody, you got a lot of do-overs, I’d like to start again on how we approach our defense this year,” the elder Jones said Friday. “I’d like to start that over again. I’m sure everybody else would, too.”
Sure, Nolan is employed right now, but will he be after Week 17? Barring a crazy three-week finish, he’ll likely be elsewhere after the season.
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