Locked On Cowboys Podcast Episode Summary

Episode Title: 3 ELITE Defensive Coordinator Candidates The Dallas Cowboys MUST Consider To Fix Defense!
Date: January 8, 2026
Hosts: Marcus Mosher & Landon McCool

Episode Overview

In this episode, Marcus Mosher and Landon McCool dissect the top three defensive coordinator candidates they believe the Dallas Cowboys must consider to revitalize their defense for the 2026 season. With the defensive coordinator spot officially open, the hosts analyze Brian Flores, Jim Schwartz, and Raheem Morris—breaking down each candidate’s background, coaching philosophy, track record, and how their schemes and personalities might fit in Dallas. The discussion is rich with Xs and Os, honest appraisals, and anecdotes from league insiders—essential listening for any Cowboys fan eager for a new defensive direction.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Brian Flores: The Aggressive Innovator

• Background & Scheme:
  • Comes from the Bill Belichick coaching tree, originally a scout in New England ([02:36]).
  • Has six years as a defensive play-caller (three as DC, three as head coach/play-caller).
  • Known for innovative, aggressive schemes—disguised coverages, heavy blitzes, “amoeba” fronts.
  • Marcus: “He’s very aggressive and runs these kind of attacking schemes behind open-field coverage... it’s hard to prepare for because it’s kind of unlike a lot of defenses that get run.” ([02:36])
• Performance & Appeal:
  • 2025 marked the first time Flores’ defense finished top 15 in yards allowed, but he reliably keeps points down—top 7 in points allowed multiple times ([03:57]).
  • Marcus highlights fit with a high-scoring offense: “You have a high-flying, high-scoring offense... you want somebody on defense that’s going to be aggressive, either getting turnovers, getting sacks, or—hey, if you’re going to give up points, give them up fast so your offense can get back on the field.” ([03:57])
• Pros & Cons:
  • Pros: Can maximize “smart” players over supreme athletes, ideal for a defense in rebuild, long-term potential ([05:09]).
  • Cons: Steep learning curve, slow installation; noted abrasiveness and strained relationships in past (including a lawsuit involving NFL management) ([06:36]; [07:40]).
  • Still, even Jerry Jones is reportedly willing to look past previous issues due to Flores’ defensive acumen: “It just shows you how good a defensive coordinator he is that Jerry Jones, of all people, would be willing to look past something like that.” – Landon ([07:40])
• Roster Fit:
  • Flores requires stout, versatile defensive tackles, which the Cowboys’ current roster can provide ([08:29]).
  • Marcus jokes about Jerry mispronouncing Quinnen Williams as “Quentin Williams” several times ([08:29]).
• Development Timeline:
  • Not a quick fix—may require patience for scheme installation and roster adaptation ([09:24]).

2. Jim Schwartz: The Proven Technician

• Background & Scheme:
  • Over 30 years of experience; DC for the Browns, Eagles, Titans, and former Lions HC ([13:22]).
  • Renowned for the “Wide 9” front and adapting defenses to talent on hand.
  • Landon: “He has a ton of different experience... When he’s had talent on his defense, he’s been really, really good.” ([13:22])
• Track Record & Toughness:
  • Known for bringing a toughness and attitude the Cowboys’ defense has lacked ([14:57]).
  • Non-superstar players thrive under Schwartz; e.g., Devin Bush and Malik Collins had arguably their best seasons in 2025 ([14:57]).
  • “I don’t think it’s a coincidence that a lot of these guys go to Jim Schwartz and suddenly they get a whole lot better.” – Marcus ([14:57])
• Scheme Fit & Adaptability:
  • Puts players, especially DEs, in positions to succeed. History of getting the most from “undersized” DEs, evidenced by Philadelphia’s rotations.
  • Dominates Shanahan/McVay/Kubiak-style offenses: “His track record against the Shanahans and the McVeighs... is unbelievable.” – Marcus ([17:56]).
  • Even Kevin Stefanski selected Schwartz for his mastery against this offensive tree ([18:33]).
• Potential Availability:
  • Could become available if Browns hire a new HC; Schwartz reportedly interviewing for that job but may seek new challenges ([18:57]; [19:26]).
  • Landon: “If you ended up, if you came out of this with Jim Schwartz, that’s a standing triple in my mind... Maybe it’s not the home run, but you’re gonna really improve defense.” ([20:22])
• Roster Fit:
  • Cowboys’ current defensive tackle group fits Schwartz’s requirements for playing wide ends ([19:45]).

3. Raheem Morris: The CEO Coach

• Background & Experience:
  • Twice an NFL head coach, most recently DC and acting HC for Atlanta, DC for Rams, interim gigs ([23:42]).
  • “He had kind of an interesting rise... it’s only after having been head coach from Tampa I think he started play-calling... He’s had a lot of movement, right?” – Landon ([23:42])
• Coaching Strengths:
  • Respected leader, connector with players, brings established network for assembling strong staff.
  • Not seen as a scheme innovator or shutdown specialist, but consistently fields competent defenses even with average talent ([26:17]).
  • “He’s a smart ball coach who I think inspired a lot of thoughts in the people beneath him... not a ton of experience as a defensive coordinator, which is obviously what you’re hiring him to be.” – Landon ([23:42])
• Track Record:
  • Only one top-14 finish in scoring defense as a play-caller/head coach (2010, Tampa Bay) ([26:17]).
  • Potentially quickest path to league-average defense—gets teams to “competent” status rapidly rather than elite ([26:17]; [27:22]).
• Scheme Modernization:
  • Recent experience with Sean McVay infuses modern concepts and adaptability ([27:22]).
• Potential Fit:
  • If not for schematic genius, perhaps for leadership and ability to assemble and empower a talented staff (like Dan Quinn’s early Dallas years).
  • “If Raheem Morris can do that better than the other two, maybe he should be the top option here.” – Marcus ([28:21])

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Brian Flores’s Aggressiveness:

  “He’s very aggressive, but I think what’s kind of unique is that he runs these aggressive attacking schemes behind open field coverage... It’s very hard to prepare for because it’s unlike a lot of defenses that get run.” – Landon ([02:36])

• On Defensive Philosophy Matching Offense:

  “If you’re going to give up points, give them up fast so your offense can get back on the field.” – Marcus ([03:57])

• On Flores’s Career Obstacles:

  “He’s kind of burned a lot of bridges over the course of his coaching career... I think he can be very abrasive.” – Marcus ([06:36])

• On Jim Schwartz’s Coaching Hallmark:

  “A good sign of a defensive coordinator is when you have non-superstar players who come in and have some of the best seasons of their career.“ – Marcus ([14:57])

• On Schwartz Versus Shanahan/McVay Offenses

  “His track record against the Shanahans and the McVeighs...is unbelievable.” – Marcus ([17:56])

• On Raheem Morris’s Role:

  “He’s a smart ball coach... I think he’s inspiring and he’s a good leader of men, but he didn’t get those jobs because of a propensity to create smothering defenses that dominate the league.” – Landon ([23:42])

• On Morris’s Strength as Staff Assembler:

  “If Raheem Morris can do that better than the other two, maybe he should be the top option here.” – Marcus ([28:21])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Top 3 Candidates Overview: [01:32] – [02:36]
• Brian Flores Discussion: [02:36] – [10:10]
• Jim Schwartz Discussion: [13:22] – [20:56]
• Raheem Morris Discussion: [23:17] – [29:07]

Tone & Style

The hosts combine detailed football analysis with candid, conversational observations, bringing both statistical depth and a fan’s perspective. The discussion is lively and honest—they praise, critique, and joke in equal measure, keeping things engaging and accessible for serious fans and casual listeners alike.

Final Thoughts

Mosher and McCool frame this coordinator search as unusually rich in strong options. Flores is the big swing—an aggressive strategist who can overhaul the system but needs runway. Schwartz is the proven hand, tough and adaptable, who could deliver rapid improvement. Morris is the trustworthy leader/coordinator hybrid, less about a signature scheme and more about fostering competence and cohesion. For the Cowboys, each offers a distinct path forward as the franchise looks to reset a defense in transition.