It is well-documented that the national media loves to rag on the Dallas Cowboys for just about everything they do. Most of that criticism is warranted.
However, it says a lot about the coaching staff Brian Schottenheimer has put together that some of the NFL’s finest analysts are excited about what the Cowboys’ offense could look like next season.
Schottenheimer made it clear in his introductory press conference that he wants Dallas to be a physical team. New offensive coordinator Klayton Adams and offensive line coach Conor Riley have followed Schottenheimer’s lead in wanting to establish violence.
Adams in particular looks the part of a fantastic hire. Highly regarded around the league after a successful stint as Cardinals offensive line coach, Adams was going to become an offensive coordinator sooner rather than later.
It was previously reported that Kellen Moore wanted to hire Adams as his OC if he landed a head coaching job. Moore has since been hired by the New Orleans Saints and has wasted no time plucking former Cowboys coaches for his staff.
With Adams unavailable Moore has pivoted … to another former Dallas coach.
Kellen Moore hires former Cowboys assistant Doug Nussmeier to Saints staff
Multiple reports have confirmed that Moore has hired longtime assistant Doug Nussmeier as his offensive coordinator.
Nussmeier served as quarterbacks coach at all of Moore’s previous three stops as an offensive coordinator, including with the Eagles last season, the Cowboys for four seasons from 2019 to 2022 and the Chargers in 2023.
Moore has already confirmed he will call plays for the Saints, but Nussmeier will play a pivotal role installing Moore’s offense throughout the offseason program and designing weekly game plans once the regular season rolls around.
Nussmeier’s son, Garrett Nussmeier, is LSU’s starting quarterback so you can circle New Orleans as a likely landing spot for the talented QB assuming he declares for the 2026 NFL Draft.
It’s an intriguing hire for the Saints. With several years of experience as a QBs coach, Nussmeier was bound to become an offensive coordinator at some point. It is fitting that Moore affords him that opportunity.
While Moore has poached multiple former Eagles coaches, New Orleans’ staff will have a lot of Cowboys flavor.
Joining Nussmeier in the Big Easy are Scott Tolzien, a former Dallas assistant who will be Moore’s QBs coach and Chase Haslett, a former Cowboys assistant tight ends coach who will preside over the Saints’ TE room.
It’s no surprise that Moore relied on his Cowboys roots to fill out his coaching staff, but it is quite funny that multiple former Dallas coaches who didn’t pan out with the franchise will have prominent roles on Moore’s staff.
We’ll see how it works out for him.