It seems the Dallas Cowboys have plenty of motives to retain Mike Zimmer as their defensive coordinator. However, this might shift if they decide to part ways with Mike McCarthy and contemplate hiring a head coach with a defensive focus.

Zimmer himself could opt out of consideration before the 2025 NFL season. Micah Parsons mentioned to reporters on Sunday that he thought Zimmer might return, although the coach might be ready to “ride off into the sunset.” Earlier in the season, Zimmer expressed that the year had been challenging for him. At 68, with numerous uncertainties surrounding the Cowboys, every possibility is open for Zimmer.

If he does decide to retire, the Cowboys might look towards former Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who was dismissed on Monday. Just a few years back, Anarumo was viewed as a legitimate head coaching contender. For more insight on Anarumo, whom I see as a solid fallback if Zimmer steps down, I contacted John Sheeran, a Bengals beat writer for A to Z Sports, with three questions. Let’s dive in.

1. Not too long ago, Lou Anarumo was considered a legitimate head coach candidate due to his success with the Bengals’ defense. What factors led to his recent firing?

Sheeran: It’s a mix of several elements. Please bear with me. Losing Jessie Bates III and DJ Reader would be tough for any defensive coordinator, and Anarumo certainly didn’t want them to leave. He deserves some leeway for that, but he’s been deeply involved in personnel decisions, including draft picks and free agent signings.

From 2022 to 2024, they invested eight top-100 picks on defense, and only a few turned out to be foundational pieces. He struggled to effectively utilize both first-round picks in that period, Dax Hill and Myles Murphy. His failure to develop these assets was a major concern. Anarumo also had a hand in the unsuccessful free agent acquisitions over the past two years.

Nick Scott, Geno Stone, Vonn Bell, and Sheldon Rankins all underperformed. Bell was a particular issue since Anarumo wanted him back to reinstate aspects of his scheme that others couldn’t execute. Additionally, Bell was beyond his prime. He didn’t bench Bell until it was too late, and his loyalty to certain veterans contributed to his downfall.

2. Would you see Anarumo as a strong candidate for defensive coordinator roles with other teams? If so, what changes would he need to make to succeed again?

Sheeran: Anarumo remains a capable coach when he doesn’t have to choose between older veterans and young players needing development. Support from a more proactive front office that retains his players instead of constantly trying to rebuild through the draft would be beneficial. I’m not sure if this applies to the Cowboys, but you get the idea.

3. What are Anarumo’s key strengths as a defensive play-caller that might appeal to other NFL teams like the Cowboys if they decide to move on from Mike Zimmer, another former Bengals DC?

Anarumo was in the running for head coaching positions in recent years because his defenses consistently performed well against top-tier quarterbacks. While Lamar Jackson recently got the better of him, victories over Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen multiple times have drawn attention. He crafted perfect schemes to force errors from elite players.

This ability diminished when his safety performance declined (with Bates’ departure), but he still understands which levers to pull. For any team aiming to compete against the league’s powerhouses, Anarumo would be a valuable asset. He honed these skills during his first tenure as a DC in Cincinnati, and now he has six years of play-calling experience under his belt.