Dallas Cowboys Poised to Land Conor Riley as Offensive Line Coach

A Strategic Move for the Cowboys The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly setting their sights on Kansas State offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Conor Riley. According to college football insider Bruce Feldman, Riley is the frontrunner for the position. ESPN’s Pete Thamel further confirmed that the hire is expected to happen soon. This move could bring significant improvements to the Cowboys’ offensive front, especially given Riley’s history of developing top-tier linemen.

Riley’s Connection to the Cowboys One of the most intriguing aspects of Riley’s potential hire is his previous work with Cowboys center Cooper Beebe. Riley played a crucial role in Beebe’s development at Kansas State before he was selected by Dallas in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. In addition, Riley was instrumental in designing an explosive rushing offense that featured standout running back Deuce Vaughn. His experience in building a dominant ground game could be exactly what the Cowboys need to revamp their running attack.

Working Under Klayton Adams If brought on board, Riley would serve under offensive coordinator Klayton Adams, who has a strong background as an offensive line coach himself, most recently with the Arizona Cardinals. This pairing could bring fresh perspectives to the Cowboys’ offensive line strategy, blending Adams’ NFL experience with Riley’s innovative collegiate coaching methods.

An Impressive Coaching Résumé Riley’s credentials speak for themselves. During Kansas State’s nine-win 2023 season, he led the Wildcats’ offensive line to a semifinalist position for the prestigious Joe Moore Award, given annually to the top offensive line unit in the nation. Under his guidance, Kansas State ranked in the top 30 nationally in 11 offensive categories, including:

• 10th in scoring (37.1 points per game)
• 11th in rushing offense (204.1 yards per game)
• 11th in third-down conversions (47.9%)
• 12th in rushing touchdowns (32)
• 12th in first downs (310)

Additionally, Kansas State ranked second in the country in red-zone touchdown efficiency, scoring touchdowns on 78.46% of their trips inside the 20-yard line.

Championship Pedigree Before arriving at Kansas State, Riley honed his coaching skills at North Dakota State, where he spent six seasons—five of them as the offensive line coach under head coach Chris Klieman. During his tenure, North Dakota State captured five national championships, cementing Riley’s reputation as a coach who knows how to build a winning culture and develop elite talent.

A Track Record of Developing Talent Under Riley’s leadership, Kansas State produced multiple All-Big 12 offensive linemen, including Cooper Beebe, who was named the Big 12 Lineman of the Year in both 2022 and 2023. His ability to develop NFL-ready talent makes him an ideal candidate to elevate the Cowboys’ offensive line to new heights.

A Perfect Fit for the Cowboys’ Vision The Cowboys are looking to inject new life into their running game, and Riley’s hiring aligns perfectly with that mission. Kansas State has thrived under a diverse rushing scheme that integrates gap concepts—something rarely seen in Dallas in recent years. Riley’s expertise in this area could be the key to unlocking the Cowboys’ ground game potential.

A Crucial Offseason Decision With the emphasis the Cowboys are placing on running the football, hiring the right offensive line coach is one of the most important decisions they’ll make this offseason. Conor Riley’s impressive track record, championship experience, and proven ability to develop elite linemen make him a promising candidate for the role. If the deal goes through, Cowboys fans have every reason to be excited about what he brings to the table.