Skip Peay is one of two assistant coaches fired by the Dallas Cowboys this week.
A.P
Frisco
The Dallas Cowboys are making personnel changes following their loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Divisional Playoffs.
Coach Mike McCarthy, whose job is secured by owner Jerry Jones.He parted ways with six coaches, including running backs coach Skip Pye, senior defensive assistant/linebackers coach George Edwardsoffensive line coach Joe Philbin, assistant defensive line coach Leon Lett, assistant head coach Rob Davis and quality control analytics coach Kyle Valero.
All were members of McCarthy’s first staff when he was hired in 2020.
“We thank these individuals for their hard work, dedication and contributions to the Cowboys. Each of them represented our team and organization with a high, professional level of class and commitment to making our team better,” McCarthy said. And combined with the experiences we’ve all been through, it’s the hardest part of the business and we wish them nothing but the best.
A handful of coaches whose contracts expire at the end of the 2022 season could also leave, according to sources.
Edwards’ departure will likely make defensive passing coordinator Joe Witt Jr. the in-house favorite to replace Dan Quinn as defensive coordinator if he takes the head coaching job.
Quinn is a top prospect with the Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts.
Pete’s departure doesn’t bode well for future running back Ezekiel Elliott. The two have a close relationship through Elliott’s agent, Rocky Arseneux.
In the year If they keep Elliott, who is expected to make $10.9 million in 2023, they’ll keep Pete.
The Cowboys will at least ask Elliott to take a pay cut. But the team could save about $5 million by releasing him.
Philbin had a long history with McCarthy. He previously served as McCarthy’s offensive coordinator in Green Bay, first from 2007-11 and again in 2018. He joins the Packers after two seasons as assistant head coach/offensive line for the Indianapolis Colts (2016-17). and four seasons as head coach of the Miami Dolphins (2012-15).
Philbin first joined the Packers on February 10, 2003 as an assistant offensive line coach and spent 2004-05 as tight ends/assistant offensive line coach and 2006 as offensive line coach. He was promoted to offensive coordinator in January 2007.
McCarthy is cutting longtime ties to Davis, the NFL’s longest-serving deep snapper (1993-2008) and former director of player and player involvement with the Packers (2008-17).
A former Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman who won three Super Bowls and two Pro Bowl honors during his 10-year run with the club, Lett has served as an assistant defensive line coach since 2011.
This story was originally published January 25, 2023 7:46 pm
Clarence E. Hill Jr. has covered the Dallas Cowboys as a beat writer/columnist for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram since 1990, including two playoff wins, six coaches and a 2011 NBA Championship. The rollercoaster years of the Tony Romo era to the Jason Garrett Cowboys.