Cowboys have fired their defensive coordinator Mike Nolan @@NFLONFOX
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) January 8, 2021
Woof. There were high hopes for Mike Nolan this time last year, when he received the opportunity for a promotion on a new coaching staff — moving up the ladder from his post as New Orleans Saints linebackers coach to defensive coordinator for Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy. But he’s been let go after just one season in which his defense set some historic lows in Dallas.
It’s obviously a disappointment for the Cowboys, and for Nolan. He was well-respected in New Orleans and did a terrific job revitalizing the linebacker corps after a near-decade of mediocrity, coaching up draft prospects like Alex Anzalone and turning then-journeymen like Demario Davis into All-Pros.
But maybe he’s at his best as a position coach. His track record with the Saints speaks for itself. Even when shorthanded due to injuries, his squad won games with Manti Te’o and Craig Robertson starting at linebacker. It’s just a shame things didn’t work out when more responsibilities were on his plate, much less during as chaotic a year as one marred by COVID-19.
So what’s next for Nolan? It’s too soon to say, but he has options. His protégé Michael Hodges turned in a solid first year as the full-time position coach after working as Nolan’s assistant for some time, so it feels unlikely he’d get demoted so soon.
He could maybe return to New Orleans and work as a senior defensive assistant, which is a title they’ve used before for experienced hands like Peter Giunta.
Or maybe Nolan gets back into broadcasting with NFL Network. Whatever move he makes next, he probably won’t do so quickly. After such a hectic season, maybe he’s looking forward to a breather.
