Dallas Cowboys: 4 Defensive Coordinators who could replace Mike Nolan

Dallas Cowboys Option 1: Jim Tomsula

Before we look at external options, let’s first see what we have right here at home with the Dallas Cowboys. Since bringing a guy in from outside midseason is so rare, it’s worth spending some extra time on the inside options, after all.

Even if he’s right here in Dallas, the least likely of the four options would be Jim Tomsula. Having only been a defensive coordinator in NFL Europe, Tomsula has been a defensive line coach for most of his career. He did have a stint as the 49ers head coach, but following the disappointing display that the offense had under him, and what was a very casual attitude, Tomsula was quickly fired.

One thing about Tomsula’s defensive lines, however, is they have usually performed pretty well. Granted he has had some good talent on his lines, but as for being a defensive coordinator, there is really not much known how he would handle a full defense.

What we do know is Tomsula was traditionally a 3-4 scheme guy and with the Dallas Cowboys are not built for that, moving him to head of the defense might not be the best move. His defenses have been traditionally good against the run, but he may be better suited staying where he is on the defensive line.