COACHES ROSTER: Dallas Cowboys announce hiring of Derek Dooley as receivers coach
The Dallas Cowboys announced the hiring of former University of Tennessee head coach Derek Dooley as receivers coach, making official a move reported two weeks ago.
Dooley, 44, replaces Jimmy Robinson, who spent the last two years as receiving coach for the Cowboys and will remain in the organization as a “senior coaching consultant.” Robinson got credit last year for the development of third-year receiver Dez Bryant.
Dooley coached the last three years at Tennessee, going 15-21, and the previous three years at Louisiana Tech, going 17-20. He coached with Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett with the Miami Dolphins in 2005 and 2006, when Garrett was the quarterbacks coach and Dooley was the receivers coach.
Dooley’s time at Tennessee was highlighted by quarterback Tyler Bray’s 69 touchdown passes and school record for highest completion percentage in a game.
At Louisiana Tech, Dooley took the Bulldogs to their first bowl victory in 30 years when they won the Independence Bowl in 2008.
Dooley was part of Nick Saban’s staff at LSU, serving as recruiting coordinator and tight ends coach for two years and then running backs coach and special teams coordinator.
Dooley started his coaching career in 1996 as a graduate assistant at Georgia. He was a receivers coach and co-recruiting coordinator at SMU for two years after that.
Dooley is the youngest son of former Georgia coach Vince Dooley. He played college football at Virginia, walking on as a receiver and then earning a scholarship. He caught 41 passes for 604 yards and three touchdowns for the Cavaliers.
He has a law degree from Georgia and practiced law for two years in Atlanta before beginning to coach. He is married to Dr. Allison Jeffers Dooley, a Fort Worth native, and they have three children.
Dooley will be the fourth Cowboys assistant coach with head coaching experience. New defensive line coach Rod Marinelli was the head coach of the Detroit Lions (2006-08), new defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin was the head coach at North Carolina State (1980-82) and offensive line coach Bill Callahan was the head coach of the Oakland Raiders (2002-03) and the University of Nebraska (2004-07).
COACHES ROSTER: Despite reports, WR coach among positions still not filled by Dallas Cowboys
IRVING, Texas – The Dallas Cowboys still have some spots on the coaching staff to fill and despite published reports Saturday night, it appears wide receiver coach is still one of them.
The team has indeed interviewed several candidates, including former Tennessee head coach Derek Dooley, who had reportedly agreed to take the job. But as of this (Sunday) morning, the Cowboys are still exploring all options.
Dooley did interview with Jason Garrett last week at the Senior Bowl. The head coach for the Vols the past three years,
He spent three previous three years at Louisiana Tech as head coach but his ties to the Cowboys stem from Jason Garrett. The two worked on Nick Saban’s staff with the Dolphins in 2005-06 when Garrett was quarterbacks coach and Dooley coached the tight ends.
Considering the Cowboys have interviewed candidates for the position, it likely means the end for Jimmy Robinson, at least as receivers coach. He also held the assistant head coach title but according to team sources, Robinson could be moved to a consultant position and remain with the organization.
The Cowboys have yet to officially hire a running backs coach to replace Skip Peete or tight ends coach to replace John Garrett. Peete is now coaching the backs in Chicago while Garrett is the wide receiver coach in Tampa Bay.
Among the names being linked to those positions include Sam Gash, a former player in the NFL for 12 years who coached the Lions running backs for the last five years. Also, current Cowboys assistant offensive line coach Wes Phillips, who has held multiple roles as an offensive assistant the past six years, could be a leading candidate to take over as tight ends coach.
The Cowboys have not officially hired special teams coach Rich Bisaccia but he has been released from his contract at Auburn and is expected to replace Joe DeCamillis. Bisaccia worked with Monte Kiffin and Rod Marinelli in Tampa Bay for nine years.
Editors Comment: Last night it appeared that Derek Dooley was going to join the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff. There is still a lot going on with regard to the offensive side of the ball. With three offensive position coaches yet to be announced, and the status of Jimmy Robinson up in the air, I think we can expect a major shakeup. It’s possible that the Dallas Cowboys intend to hire an offensive coordinator in the coming weeks. If they have targeted someone on the Baltimore Ravens or San Francisco 49ers staff, we’ll have an announcement after the Super Bowl. Hiring an offensive coordinator could explain the delay in filling these position roles because the new coordinator would want to bring in his own people. Either way, we should know what’s going on offensively in the next two weeks.
COACHES ROSTER: Derek Dooley expected to become new Dallas Cowboys wide receivers coach
IRVING, Texas – Former University of Tennessee head coach Derek Dooley is set to join the Cowboys’ staff as the new receivers coach, according to multiple sources.
Dooley, who was a position coach alongside Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett for two years with the Dolphins, will reportedly get the job after interviewing with Garrett. Dooley was the tight ends coach and Garrett was the quarterbacks coach in Miami for the 2005 and 2006 seasons.
While the majority of Cowboys staff watched the Senior Bowl practices at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, most of Garrett’s time in Mobile, Ala., was spent interviewing potential position coaches, including Dooley. The Cowboys still need to fill positions for running backs coach and tight ends coach, and the leading candidates for those positions appear to be Sam Gash and Wes Phillips, respectively.
Dooley’s hiring would mark the first new position coach with a direct coaching history with Garrett. The Cowboys brought on defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, defensive line coach Rod Marinelli and special teams coach Rich Bisaccia this offseason, all of whom worked together previously with the Buccaneers.
The move means former wide receivers coach Jimmy Robinson will either hold a new role or leave the staff. He’s been the receivers coach the past two seasons.
Dooley’s only professional coaching experience occurred in those two years alongside Garrett with the Dolphins. Prior to that, Dooley spent three seasons as SMU’s wide receivers coach and five seasons in different roles with LSU. He was on the Tigers’ staff while Marcus Spears and Nate Livings played at the school.
After his time in Miami, Dooley then spent three seasons apiece as head coach at Louisiana Tech and, most recently, with the Volunteers, where he replaced Kiffin’s son, Lane. Dooley compiled a 32-41 total head coaching record between the two schools.
The Cowboys staff will now include three members in Kiffin, Marinelli and offensive coordinator Bill Callahan who’ve served as head coaches at the collegiate or professional level.
Editors Comment: Jimmy Robinson is the coach you see on the sidelines with Dez Bryant during both good and bad situations. He has a calming influence and is seen teaching and coaching during all phases of the game. He’s the coach that works most closely with Dez and is responsible for some of the progress we’ve seen from Dez recently. I hope the Dallas Cowboys find a way to keep Robinson on the staff. He’s one of those people behind the scenes that can help this team in the long term.
COACHES ROSTER: Meet the 2013-14 Dallas Cowboys coaching staff
There have been a number of changes in the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff over the offseason. Here’s an updated list of the assistant coaches and links for more detailed information on each of them. This page will be updated if any other changes are made.
DALLAS COWBOYS HEAD COACH
Jason Garrett was named the eighth head coach in Dallas Cowboys history on January 5, 2011. Garrett, who played for or worked alongside four of his predecessors, became the first former Dallas Cowboys player to become the team’s head coach.
DALLAS COWBOYS COACHING STAFF
| Offensive Coaches | Defensive Coaches | Specialty Coaches |
| Jimmy Robinson Asst. Head Coach/Wide Receivers |
Monte Kiffin Defensive Coordinator |
Mike Woicik Strength and Conditioning |
| To Be Determined Tight Ends/Passing Game Coord. |
Jerome Henderson Secondary |
Chris Boniol Assistant Special Teams/ Kickers |
| Wade Wilson Quarterbacks |
Matt Eberflus Linebackers |
Brett Bech Assistant Strength and Conditioning |
| Bill Callahan Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line |
Rod Marinelli Defensive Line |
Rich Bisaccia
Special Teams |
| Wes Phillips Assistant Offensive Line |
Ben Bloom Quality Control/Linebackers |
|
| Keith O’Quinn Off. Quality Control/Wide Receivers |
Joe Baker Assistant Secondary |
REST PRESCRIBED: Dez Bryant’s MRI reveals Patellar Tendinitis, no major damage
An MRI on Dez Bryant‘s injured knee revealed patellar tendinitis, according to a source, which should only require rest before the star receiver can return to practice.
Bryant hurt his knee Monday practicing against the Chargers when he slipped coming out of a break. The MRI revealed no major structural damage and provides a much less severe diagnosis than originally feared when Bryant limped off the field. It’s unknown at this time how long Bryant will be out.
Patellar tendinitis is also known as "jumper’s knee," and occurs most frequently in athletes who jump routinely, as Bryant did when he soared into the air to snag a ball in the back of the end zone Saturday.
The Cowboys are short in receiving threats, with Miles Austin and Jason Witten both sidelined. A spleen injury to Witten and a lingering hamstring issue for Austin raised the dependence on Bryant in the passing game. Bryant was one of the few starters not dealing with an injury in training camp, besides missing the end of a practice in Oxnard, Calif., with a sore hamstring.
The receivers finished Saturday’s preseason game healthy against the Chargers, but they couldn’t stay on the field in Monday’s practice against San Diego, as Bryant, Andre Holmes and Donavon Kemp joined the injury list.
Kemp also suffered a knee injury and Holmes left with a sore back. Wide receivers coach Jimmy Robinson said he knew Holmes’ tight back flared up on him, but he didn’t see what happened to Bryant, who slipped coming out of a break and limped off the field.
“Hopefully it’s not anything too serious,” Robinson said.
Bryant’s been on point with Tony Romo throughout the preseason, making athletic catches routinely, including a one-handed grab in the back of the end zone against the Chargers that was called back for a penalty and ruled out of bounds. Bryant didn’t play much against the Chargers, catching two passes for 15 yards on three targets.
Kevin Ogletree took a majority of the first-team snaps in practice after Bryant’s departure. He said Bryant “became a man” this offseason and preseason with his consistent play.
Ogletree also didn’t see the play that forced Bryant to the sidelines.
“We all know his talents and how hard he works and his determination and drive and competitiveness,” Ogletree said. “You can give a bunch of words to describe his role on the team and how important he is to us. He’s a leader, one of our best players and I’m praying for him. I’m sure he’ll be fine. He’s a strong kid.”
The injury to Austin already bumped Ogletree to the starter opposite Bryant. His practice reps increased more when Bryant left Monday.
He said the practices at the end of training camp are essential with the Sept. 5 opener against the Giants looming in a couple weeks.
“It was a great opportunity for myself and some of the other young guys to get some extra practice reps with some unfamiliar corners and secondary’s and defenses,” Ogletree said. “It’s something I think we took advantage of as a group today.”
COACHES ROSTER: Meet the 2013-14 Dallas Cowboys coaching staff
There have been a number of changes in the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff over the past few years. Here’s an updated list of the assistant coaches and links for more detailed information on each of them.
DALLAS COWBOYS HEAD COACH
Jason Garrett was named the eighth head coach in Dallas Cowboys history on January 5, 2011. Garrett, who played for or worked alongside four of his predecessors, became the first former Dallas Cowboys player to become the team’s head coach.
DALLAS COWBOYS COACHING STAFF
| Offensive Coaches | Defensive Coaches | Specialty Coaches |
| Jimmy Robinson Asst. Head Coach/Wide Receivers |
Monte Kiffin Defensive Coordinator |
Mike Woicik Strength and Conditioning |
| To Be Determined Tight Ends/Passing Game Coord. |
Jerome Henderson Secondary |
Chris Boniol Assistant Special Teams/ Kickers |
| Wade Wilson Quarterbacks |
Matt Eberflus Linebackers |
Brett Bech Assistant Strength and Conditioning |
| Bill Callahan Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line |
Rod Marinelli Defensive Line |
|
| Wes Phillips Assistant Offensive Line |
Ben Bloom Quality Control/Linebackers |
|
| Keith O’Quinn Off. Quality Control/Wide Receivers |
Joe Baker Assistant Secondary |
This post has been revised. Please click HERE.
VIDEO: Meet the Dallas Cowboys Assistant Head Coach–Jimmy Robinson
Robinson: Player Created Plays
Dallas Cowboys Assistant Head Coach/Wide Receivers coach Jimmy Robinson talks about how some of the "play created plays" that impacted the previous game against the Giants.
Beat Writers Recap: Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Star-Telegram/Paul Moseley
Jimmy Robinson, Asst. Head Coach/Wide Receivers, with Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88), wide receiver Miles Austin (19) and wide receiver Laurent Robinson (81) on the bench in the second quarter.
The Cowboys finished their 15th game of the season with a 20-7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at Cowboys Stadium on Saturday afternoon. We review the game in our weekly Beat Writers Recap.
- If the Cowboys-Eagles game told us anything it’s that Stephen McGee is not ready to become a full-time No. 2 quarterback behind Tony Romo. McGee’s line on Saturday: 24-of-38 for 182 yards with one touchdown, no interceptions and three sacks. McGee dumped off too many passes and just didn’t seem relaxed in the pocket. The Eagles’ pass rush had something to do with that of course, but there was this drive starting with 9:33 to play in the game that McGee could have used to prove something to the coaching staff. It started at the Cowboys’ 23 and ended when McGee tried to throw to Martellus Bennett in the end zone while missing an open Miles Austin. During the drive, McGee’s longest completed pass was a 15-yarder to third-string running back Chauncey Washington.
- It was interesting that coach Jason Garrett didn’t sit some regular offensive starters, other than Felix Jones, in the late stages of the game. Yes, Garrett is trying to win and didn’t want to present a front that he didn’t care. Yet, there would have been nothing wrong with sitting Kyle Koiser (foot) and Laurent Robinson (shoulder) and maybe giving a few snaps to Jeremy Parnell at tackle with the game out of reach. One of the problems we have with Garrett’s decision making last year was his refusal to play young tackle Sam Young. At some point you need to find out if young players can play.
- The more we watch defensive end Sean Lissemore, the more we like him. He finished with four tackles and has performed well with extended snaps with Josh Brent (knee) out. What the Cowboys do next year at end is an interesting debate. We believe Jason Hatcher will return, but we’re not sure about Kenyon Coleman and Marcus Spears coming back. In the Cowboys’ 3-4 scheme, it’s hard to judge the defensive ends on stats, because Coleman and Spears are asked to play the run. Spears has been more active than Coleman the last few weeks, though Coleman did have a tackle for loss on Saturday, his first since Thanksgiving.
- Punter Mat McBriar had a nice day versus Philadelphia. Of his nine punts, he landed a season-high five inside the 20. He’s been bothered by nerve damage in his left (non-kicking) foot, which cost him one game this year. McBriar is still one of the best punters in the NFL, as evident by his effort at Arizona on Dec. 4 where he held the dangerous Patrick Peterson to just 1 return yard, but his health has bothered him at times in 2011.
- Romo didn’t complete a pass Saturday, marking the first time in his career that’s ever happened. The main concern going forward with Romo regarding his bruised hand is the ability to grip the ball. If he struggles in that area, he will have difficulty passing and handing off. … With Kevin Ogletree (knee) being inactive for the Eagles game, you have to wonder about his own future. The Cowboys expected so much out of him, but Robinson surpassed him on the depth chart. … Good to see Dwayne Harris with a 51-yard kickoff return. He is running with confidence and might break one in the regular-season finale at the New York Giants.
Calvin Watkins | ESPN Dallas
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