The Dallas Cowboys have recently expressed interest in interviewing Leslie Frazier, the assistant head coach for the Seattle Seahawks, as part of their search for a new head coach. This move comes in the wake of the Cowboys parting ways with former head coach Mike McCarthy after a five-season tenure. The Cowboys are looking to fill this vacancy and have also scheduled interviews with other candidates, including former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh.
Background on Leslie Frazier
Leslie Frazier has a long history in the NFL, beginning his coaching career in 1999. He served as the defensive backs coach for the Philadelphia Eagles before moving to the Minnesota Vikings, where he became the defensive coordinator in 2007. Frazier was appointed as the Vikings’ interim head coach in 2010 and was later named head coach from 2011 to 2013. During his tenure, he led the team to a playoff appearance in 2012 but finished with a record of 21 wins and 32 losses overall as a head coach. After his time with the Vikings, Frazier held defensive coordinator roles with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Buffalo Bills before joining the Seahawks
Cowboys’ Coaching Search
The Cowboys’ decision to interview Frazier aligns with their strategy to fulfill the NFL’s Rooney Rule, which mandates that teams interview minority candidates for head coaching positions. While Frazier’s extensive experience as a defensive coordinator is notable, his lack of recent head coaching experience—having not held that position for over a decade—has led some analysts to view this interview with skepticism. Comparisons have been drawn to previous interviews conducted by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, suggesting that this may be more about compliance than genuine interest
Frazier’s upcoming interview is significant as it highlights the Cowboys’ ongoing efforts to revamp their coaching staff and potentially shift their team dynamics moving forward. As they continue their search, they will weigh Frazier’s defensive expertise against other candidates like Saleh, who has also been considered for the role
In conclusion, while Leslie Frazier’s interview represents an important step in the Cowboys’ coaching search, it remains to be seen how seriously Dallas will consider him for the position compared to other candidates with more recent head coaching success.
