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Lunda Wells

Jets To Interview Lunda Wells For OC; Jon Gruden Denies Team Contacted Him

By | at January 30, 2026 8:02 am

JANUARY 30: Gruden emphatically denied that the Jets contacted him, telling WDAE: “There’s a lot of reports we’re not going to get into. There’s a lot of stupid rumors out there. Some of these reports are ridiculous. Let’s just say that there was never anything from the Jets and I wish them well in their search for a new offensive coordinator.”

JANUARY 28: After parting with offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand on Tuesday, the Jets have identified a potential replacement in Cowboys tight ends coach Lunda Wells. They’ll interview Wells today, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.

The Jets are the third team of the offseason to show OC interest in Wells, who previously met with the Commanders and will discuss the position with the Steelers. Now 42 years old, Wells began his NFL coaching career in New York in 2012 in a quality control role with the Tom Coughlin-led Giants.

Coughlin’s run as the Giants’ head coach ended after 2015, but Wells stayed on their staff during the short-lived Ben McAdoo and Pat Shurmur eras. He served as the Giants’ assistant offensive line coach from 2013-17 before working with their tight ends from 2018-19.

Wells is now coming off his sixth year in Dallas, where he has aided in the development of tight ends Dalton Schultz and Jake Ferguson. In joining the Jets, Wells would inherit a promising tight end in Mason Taylor, who posted a 44-catch season as a second-round rookie in 2025, as well as a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver in Garrett Wilson.

While Taylor and Wilson are bright spots, the Jets’ offense otherwise lacks weapons, especially with running back Breece Hall on the verge of free agency. More importantly, though, the Jets don’t have a clear answer at quarterback. It’s something general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn will have to address this offseason after last year’s Justin Fields gamble fell flat.

Although Wells will receive some consideration to run the Jets’ offense in 2026, Glenn is reportedly focused on hiring an experienced candidate to be the “head coach” of the unit. Frank Reich is the frontrunner, but Glenn also reached out to Jon Gruden about joining his staff, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.

It’s unknown whether Gruden would have become the Jets’ offensive coordinator or taken on a different position, but he declined Glenn’s overtures. The longtime head coach, 62, hasn’t worked in the NFL since he served as a consultant with the Saints in 2023. Gruden hasn’t coached since he resigned his post with the Raiders in October 2021. He stepped down after emails he sent containing racist, sexist and homophobic remarks were leaked. Gruden, who sent those emails while working as an analyst at ESPN from 2011-18, is now suing the league.

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Jets Complete Five OC Interviews

By | at January 28, 2026 7:41 pm

After moving on from offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand yesterday, the Jets have officially kicked off their search in full force. The team announced that they’ve completed interviews with five candidates. Three names on the list are new: Dolphins quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator Darrell Bevell, Bills QBs coach Ronald Curry, and recent Chargers OC Greg Roman. The two other names are Lunda Wells, whose interview we learned about this morning, and Frank Reich, who was previously mentioned as a potential option.

[RELATED: Jets, OC Tanner Engstrand Part Ways]

Bevell has spent the past four seasons as Miami’s QBs coach and passing game coordinator. He helped guide Tua Tagovailoa to a ninth-place finish in MVP voting during his first season at the helm, and he saw the former first-round pick later pace the NFL in passing yards (4,624 in 2023) and completion percentage (72.9 in 2024). Tagovailoa’s numbers took a notable step back in 2025, including a career-high 3.9 interception rate. While that performance may lead to some changes in Miami in 2026, it apparently didn’t do enough to ruin Bevell’s reputation.

Following a brief stop with the 49ers to begin his coaching career, Curry climbed the coaching ladder in New Orleans. As a receivers coach, he helped guide Michael Thomas to two of the most productive seasons of his career, and he led a QBs room in 2021 that relied on three different starters (Jameis Winston, Trevor Siemian, and Taysom Hill). He earned a promotion to passing game coordinator in 2022 and was responsible for passing attacks led by Andy Dalton and Derek Carr. He moved to the Bills ahead of Josh Allen‘s MVP season in 2024, and he got a career-high 69.3 completion percentage from the star QB in 2025.

Roman was recently fired by the Chargers following a three-point showing in the team’s Wild Card Round loss to the Patriots. Before that, the veteran coach had stints as offensive coordinator in Baltimore, Buffalo, and San Francisco. He also served as the associate head coach at Stanford under Jim Harbaugh. Considering the Jets’ uncertainty at quarterback, it’s worth noting that Roman has successfully worked alongside a wide range of QBs throughout his coaching career. While he recently had an experienced play-caller in Justin Herbert, he’s helped guide young QBs (like Lamar Jackson and Colin Kaepernick) and journeymen (like Tyrod Taylor).

Before the Jets and Engstrand parted ways, there were rumblings that Aaron Glenn was planning to strip the OC of his play-calling duties while seeking a replacement. Reich was the first coach connected to the gig, and the team was reportedly “progressing” in conversations with the former Colts and Panthers head coach. The 64-year-old remains the favorite for the role. Wells joined the fray this morning, with the Cowboys TEs coach garnering his third OC interview of this year’s cycle. One name that’s rejected the team’s overtures is Jon Gruden, who would have certainly fit Glenn’s desire to find a “head coach” for the unit.

Whoever ends up getting hired for the open OC job will have a tall task of turning around a Jets offense that finished bottom-four in yards and scoring this past season. The team’s QB approach remains uncertain following the failed Justin Fields experiment, and running back Breece Hall is set to hit free agency. Fortunately, the Jets do have some foundational pieces, including a solid offensive line, star wideout Garrett Wilson, and promising rookie TE Mason Taylor.

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Steelers To Conduct OC Interview With Lunda Wells

By | at January 27, 2026 8:53 am

Once Mike Tomlin resigned as head coach of the Steelers, the possibility of widespread coaching changes emerged. Pittsburgh now has Mike McCarthy in place, and one of his first priorities will be filling the offensive coordinator position.

It was learned over the weekend that Arthur Smith has agreed to join Ohio State as the school’s new OC. That marks an end to his two-year tenure in Pittsburgh. Smith was connected to other NFL coordinator opportunities as well as some of the league’s head coaching vacancies. In any case, his departure did not come as a surprise and it created the need for a new Steelers OC.

A target on that front has now emerged. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Pittsburgh is expected to interview Cowboys tight ends coach Lunda Wells this week. Wells has been in his current position since 2020, the year McCarthy arrived as Dallas’ head coach. The two worked together for five years on the Cowboys’ staff.

Wells began his NFL coaching career in 2012 with the Giants. The 47-year-old remained in New York for eight years before joining McCarthy in Dallas. Wells has a background as an offensive line coach, but his final two years with the Giants saw him coach the team’s tight ends. He has continued doing so throughout his Cowboys tenure, including the 2025 campaign after head coach Brian Schottenheimer retained him last winter. Wells interviewed with the Commanders for their OC gig earlier this month before Washington ultimately promoted David Blough to the position.

Wells has drawn praise for his role in developing the likes of Dalton Schultz and Jake Ferguson during his Cowboys tenure. He is currently occupied with preparations for tonight’s East-West Shrine Bowl, where he will coach the West team. After that commitment is finished, though, another OC interview will likely be arranged.

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2026 NFL Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Search Tracker

By | at January 20, 2026 9:00 am

The 2026 head coaching carousel has now seen 10 jobs open since the start of the offseason, as the Bills have fired Sean McDermott. HC firings generally lead to coordinator changes, and several other teams have proceeded with OC or DC moves to start their offseasons. Here are the current OC and DC searches transpiring. As the remaining HC searches conclude, more coordinator searches will be added to this list.

Updated 2-8-26 (07:30am CT)

Offensive Coordinators

Arizona Cardinals (Out: Drew Petzing)

  • Nathaniel Hackett, quarterbacks coach (Dolphins): Hired

Atlanta Falcons (Out: Zac Robinson)

Baltimore Ravens (Out: Todd Monken)

Buffalo Bills (Out: Joe Brady)

  • Pete Carmichael Jr., senior offensive assistant (Broncos): Hire expected

Chicago Bears (Out: Declan Doyle)

Cleveland Browns (Out: Tommy Rees)

Denver Broncos (Out: Joe Lombardi)

  • Ronald Curry, quarterbacks coach (Bills): Interviewed
  • Brian Johnson, pass-game coordinator (Commanders): Interviewed
  • Davis Webb, quarterbacks coach (Broncos): Promoted

Detroit Lions (Out: John Morton)

Kansas City Chiefs (Out: Matt Nagy)

  • Eric Bieniemy, running backs coach (Bears): Rehired

Los Angeles Chargers (Out: Greg Roman)

Miami Dolphins (Out: Frank Smith)

New York Giants (Out: Mike Kafka)

New York Jets (Out: Tanner Engstrand)

Philadelphia Eagles (Out: Kevin Patullo)

Pittsburgh Steelers (Out: Arthur Smith)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Out: Josh Grizzard)

Tennessee Titans (Out: Nick Holz)

Washington Commanders (Out: Kliff Kingsbury)

Defensive Coordinators

Arizona Cardinals (Out: Nick Rallis)

Baltimore Ravens (Out: Zach Orr)

Buffalo Bills (Out: Bobby Babich)

  • Jim Leonhard, defensive backs coach (Broncos): Hired

Cleveland Browns (Out: Jim Schwartz)

Dallas Cowboys (Out: Matt Eberflus)

Green Bay Packers (Out: Jeff Hafley)

Los Angeles Chargers (Out: Jesse Minter)

Miami Dolphins (Out: Anthony Weaver)

  • Sean Duggan, former linebackers coach (Packers): Hired
  • Clint Hurtt, defensive line coach (Eagles): Interviewed

New York Giants (Out: Shane Bowen)

New York Jets (Out: Steve Wilks)

Pittsburgh Steelers (Out: Teryl Austin)

San Francisco 49ers (Out: Robert Saleh)

  • Gus Bradley, assistant head coach (49ers): Interviewed
  • Raheem Morris, former head coach (Falcons): Hired
  • Jim Schwartz, defensive coordinator (Browns): Rumored candidate
  • Joe Woods, defensive backs coach (Raiders): Interviewed

Tennessee Titans (Out: Dennard Wilson)

Washington Commanders (Out: Joe Whitt)

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Commanders Interview Lunda Wells For OC Job

By | at January 8, 2026 8:51 pm

The Commanders have interviewed their first potential replacement for Kliff Kingsbury. ESPN’s Todd Archer reported earlier today that the organization had requested permission to interview Cowboys tight ends coach Lunda Wells for their OC vacancy. ESPN’s Adam Schefter later reported that Wells completed an interview this evening for the job.

[RELATED: Commanders, Kliff Kingsbury Part Ways]

As Dan Quinn is tasked with rebuilding his coaching staff, he’s considering a familiar face to guide his offense. Wells served as the Cowboys TEs coach throughout Quinn’s three-year stint as the team’s defensive coordinator. Quinn actually pursued Wells two years ago to lead his offensive line, so the Commanders HC clearly thinks highly of the coach.

Wells had an eight-year stint with the Giants to begin his NFL coaching career, working his way up from an offensive quality control coach to tight ends coach. During his two seasons in that latter role, Evan Engram had two of the best yards-per-game showings of his career. Wells moved to the Cowboys in 2020, where he guided Dalton Schultz to his most productive NFL season before developing Jake Ferguson into a Pro Bowl-quality tight end.

Wells was also recruited by the Bears last offseason, so the 42-year-old has clearly been emerging as a popular name in coaching circuits. The Cowboys made an effort to retain him last offseason, including signing the coach to an extension. Now, he may have an opportunity to take that next step of his career with a division rival.

After being forced to move on from his offensive and defensive coordinator, Quinn also fired offensive line coach Bobby Johnson yesterday. The team kicked off their DC search by requesting an interview with Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.

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Coaching Rumors: Moore, Saints, Rizzi, Cowboys, Bears, Jets, Panthers, Hill, Raiders

By | at January 30, 2025 4:39 pm

With Mike McCarthy following Joe Brady and Kliff Kingsbury out of the Saints HC pursuit, Kellen Moore looms as the presumptive favorite. While SI.com’s Albert Breer agrees with that classification, he does not view Darren Rizzi as being out of the running. Rizzi interviewed for the position, though Mike Kafka and Anthony Weaver have conducted two interviews. Seeing the Saints lose some bigger names could influence them to revisit Rizzi as a viable candidate. While this would be an unorthodox move — both due to Rizzi’s interim status and background in special teams — it is fairly clear the New Orleans job is not viewed as particularly attractive right now.

If Rizzi does not land the job, a reunion with Sean Payton in Denver may await. Here is the latest out of the coaching ranks:

  • The Jets hired Steve Wilks over Chris Harris for their DC post, but CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones notes that the latter should not be discounted from coming to New York as well. Harris has been a regular on the DC carousel in recent years, Harris stayed with the Titans despite the team firing Mike Vrabel. A role similar to what he holds in Tennessee, that of pass-game coordinator, could await in New York.
  • Former Chargers DC Renaldo Hill is signing on with the Panthers, according to The Athletic’s Joe Person. This will mark a return to the league after a year off for the former NFL safety; he had previously worked as the Dolphins’ defensive pass-game coordinator under Vic Fangio. Although Person notes the Panthers have a safeties job available, Hill’s title is not known. Carolina is also adding Rams assistant AC Carter as their OLBs coach, the Charlotte Observer’s Mike Kaye adds. Carter has been the Rams’ assistant D-line coach for the past two years. He made his NFL debut as a Broncos quality control staffer under Ejiro Evero in 2022.
  • The Bears spoke with Lunda Wells about a job recently, but the Cowboys are keeping him. Dallas has reached an extension to retain its tight ends coach, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter tweets. We heard earlier this week Brian Schottenheimer would likely keep Wells, who came over along with McCarthy in 2020.
  • Elsewhere on the Chicago staff, the team interviewed Ohio State assistant Justin Frye for its O-line coach position, per the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs. Frye has only worked at the college level, topping out as UCLA’s OC under Chip Kelly. The former Bruins HC rejoined his ex-assistant at Ohio State last year; Frye has been coaching Buckeyes blockers since 2022, collecting a national championship ring this past season. Tulane O-line coach Dan Roushar is also expected to interview, Biggs adds. Roushar spent 10 seasons with the Saints (2013-22), before making an in-state move back to the college level.
  • On the defensive side, the Bears are also making a move. Ben Johnson is adding Birmingham Stallions assistant Bill Johnson as his D-line coach, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. Johnson, 69, served as both an O-line and D-line coach with the USFL-then-UFL franchise. He has been out of the NFL since 2018, when he served as Rams D-line coach. He was on LSU’s national championship-winning staff in the same role a year later. Bill Johnson’s longest NFL stay came with New Orleans (2009-16), but he has nearly 20 years’ experience in the league.
  • The Raiders made news Wednesday night by agreeing to keep Patrick Graham as DC; Pete Carroll will be Graham’s third HC in Las Vegas. More continuity is coming for a new regime still, with NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero adding the team is retaining special teams coordinator Tom McMahon. In coaching for more than 30 years, McMahon has served as ST coordinator for the Rams, Chiefs, Colts, Broncos and Raiders; he has been in Vegas since 2022.
  • Northern Illinois HC Thomas Hammock is generating some looks from the NFL. At least three teams have reached out about a potential position coach role, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. Hammock has been the Northern Illinois leader since 2019 but previously enjoyed a stint as Ravens RBs coach. The Huskies picked up a signature win last season by upsetting Notre Dame.
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Cowboys Address Mike McCarthy Firing Delay; Team Extends Will McClay

By | at January 29, 2025 10:17 am

The Cowboys have taken plenty of heat for their decision to delay Mike McCarthy‘s ouster only to circle back and promote his two-year OC. Brian Schottenheimer is now the Cowboys’ HC, rising to a top job despite not interviewing for one anywhere else over the past decade.

Labeling this hire “a risk, not a Hail Mary,” Jerry Jones said the Cowboys’ delay in separating from McCarthy came from knowing the team had Schottenheimer as an option, ESPN.com’s Todd Archer and NFL.com’s Jane Slater note. The Cowboys did not part ways with McCarthy until a week after Black Monday.

Because no other team was connected to Schottenheimer, it also stood to reason the Cowboys could have waited and conducted a more thorough search — rather than meeting with just three external candidates (Robert Saleh, Leslie Frazier, Kellen Moore). Jones indicated (via The Athletic’s Jon Machota) he did not feel he needed to meet with higher-profile candidates like Ben Johnson or Aaron Glenn due to Schottenheimer having a better understanding of the Cowboys’ current setup. This stance will certainly be criticized due to the Cowboys coming off a 7-10 record and refusing to extend McCarthy.

Moving quickly did keep Schottenheimer off the coordinator market, but the veteran staffer had not been connected to any OC jobs elsewhere, either. Jones also said Schottenheimer received plenty of support from players. Dak Prescott is among them, indicating (via Cowboys.com) his new head coach “means a lot to me.” Prescott stumped for McCarthy during the season’s second half, but the Cowboys are taking a half-measure of sorts by keeping his coordinator on. Prescott and Schottenheimer’s good relationship is believed to have been a key driver for this unexpected promotion.

Jones had said McCarthy talks never moved into true negotiations, but the sides are believed to have discussed contract length. That was viewed as a hang-up, and McCarthy has since bowed out of the Saints’ HC search. He will not coach in 2025. Meanwhile, a staffer he hired despite being tied to the Urban Meyer Jaguars season will replace him in Dallas.

Schottenheimer, 51, did not call plays during his OC stint but confirmed (via All DLLS’ Clarence Hill) he will next season. The second-generation NFL coach called plays for the Jets, Rams and Seahawks previously. The Jets and Seahawks, respectively, fired Schottenheimer, whose St. Louis departure came when he accepted the Georgia OC job in 2015. But Russell Wilson‘s second half of his Seattle stay may well be what secures him Hall of Fame entry; Schottenheimer was calling the shots for that period, which featured three top-nine Seahawks offenses.

The Cowboys are expected to retain several of McCarthy’s assistants, Archer adds. Assistant QBs coach Ryan Feder and assistant O-line coach Ramon Chinyoung are likely among them, as they attended Schottenheimer’s introductory presser. The team is also aiming to keep tight ends coach Lunda Wells, per Hill, who adds other teams are also interested in hiring him. The Cowboys recently met with Kerry Joseph about the QBs coach position, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones notes. Joseph served as the Bears’ QBs coach last season, having followed Shane Waldron to Chicago. Prior to Waldron’s Seattle stay, Joseph began his Seahawks stint under Schottenheimer as an offensive assistant in 2020. Previous QBs coach Scott Tolzien is not expected to stay under Schottenheimer.

Meanwhile, no plans to add Jason Witten to this year’s staff are in place, according to The Athletic’s Jon Machota. Witten had been loosely rumored as a potential HC candidate, despite only having high school coaching experience, and also loomed as someone Jones was interested in bringing in for a non-HC role — as a potential promotion loomed down the line — but it does not sound like the former Cowboys Pro Bowl tight end will be part of Schottenheimer’s first staff.

Lastly, the Cowboys have agreed to terms with one of their cornerstone staffers on an extension. VP of player personnel Will McClay is sticking around on a multiyear deal, Archer reports. This is not especially surprising, as McClay has been choosey with his GM interviews in recent years and is now in his third decade with the Cowboys.

The Commanders, Chargers and Panthers showed interest last year, but McClay withdrew his name from consideration. Rather than pursue a GM role, McClay has said in the past he is happy where he is in Dallas. While Jones heads up Dallas’ personnel department as the team’s de facto GM, McClay has been essential to the team’s blueprint by providing impact draft picks.

McClay has headed up the Cowboys’ scouting department since 2014 but has been with the Cowboys since 2002. McClay has helped identify the likes of Zack Martin, Ezekiel Elliott, CeeDee Lamb, Micah Parsons and Tyler Smith as All-Pros from Round 1. Prescott also arrived as a fourth-rounder on McClay’s watch. While Jones’ moves with veteran personnel have drawn considerable scrutiny, McClay’s ability to bring in top-caliber talent via the draft has been vital to the Cowboys’ mission.

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Cowboys QBs Coach Scott Tolzien Not Expected Back In 2025

By | at January 25, 2025 12:19 pm

The Cowboys are sticking with continuity on their coaching staff, as the team promoted offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to the head coaching role. However, it sounds like the team will need to slightly revamp their offensive coaching staff.

[RELATED: Cowboys Hire Brian Schottenheimer As HC]

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Scott Tolzien isn’t expected back in Dallas next season. The former NFL journeyman was attached to an expiring contract, so there doesn’t need to be any formal divorce separation the two sides.

Tolzien could have been a logical candidate to replace Schottenheimer in the offensive coordinator role. After spending three seasons as an assistant, Tolzien spent the past two years coaching the Cowboys quarterbacks. Dak Prescott finished second in MVP during the 2023 campaign, and while the QB’s numbers took a step back before his season-ending injury in 2024, Tolzien still earned a reputation as a “talented QB tutor” (per Rapoport).

Rapoport also notes that Tolzien could “resurface soon.” Plenty of teams are still settling their coaching staffs, and the 37-year-old may have done enough in Dallas to garner a coordinator interview. At the very least, Tolzien shouldn’t have any issues finding another job coaching QBs.

Schottenheimer will now be searching for at least an OC and a QBs coach, but the new Cowboys head coach will look to add to his own offensive responsibilities. According to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, Schottenheimer is expected to call the offensive plays next season. The former coordinator didn’t have this specific duty under Mike McCarthy, but it sounds like Schottenheimer is only going to increase his offensive oversight moving forward. Fortunately, this shouldn’t be an issue for Prescott; ESPN’s Todd Archer says the QB has a good relationship with Schottenheimer and likes the coach’s “creativity.”

While the Cowboys are anticipating more changes to their coaching staff, there’s hope that some of the current coaches will stick around. This includes tight ends coach Lunda Wells, with Archer noting that the long-time Giants staff member could be a candidate to coach the offensive line.

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Cowboys Block Commanders From Interviews With Al Harris, Lunda Wells

By | at February 8, 2024 8:35 am

Dan Quinn has agreed to bring Joe Whitt with him to Washington, moving the former Dallas secondary coach up to defensive coordinator. The Cowboys are not allowing their former DC to poach other assistants for lesser roles.

The Cowboys have now prevented the Commanders from interviewing two of their staffers. They are blocking the Commanders from interviewing defensive backs coach Al Harris, ESPN.com’s Todd Archer tweets. This comes after the team nixed a Washington meeting with tight ends coach Lunda Wells, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport.

Quinn sought Wells as his next offensive line coach, per Rapoport. Wells, 40, was in place as the Cowboys’ tight ends coach before Quinn arrived in 2021. Mike McCarthy hired Wells in 2020; he previously worked on the Giants’ staff under multiple head coaches.

Harris, 49, also predates Quinn in Dallas. McCarthy brought the former cornerback in as his DBs coach in 2020 as well. Harris had previously worked as a six-year Chiefs assistant under Andy Reid, making a transition into the coaching ranks after a lengthy playing career.

Harris has drawn consideration for the Cowboys’ DC post, but in the days since his name emerged in that mix, the Cowboys have interviewed bigger names. Ron Rivera, Mike Zimmer and Rex Ryan have met with the team about its defensive play-calling gig. They join D-line coach Aden Durde and Jets safeties coach Marquand Manuel in the mix for that position. Whitt was believed to be the Cowboys’ initial DC choice, but he opted to follow Quinn elsewhere in the NFC East.

The NFL has moved to prevent teams from blocking staffers at moves to the coordinator ranks in recent years, but while the team could not block Whitt from leaving for Washington (a move that is now official), clubs can still prevent assistants under contract from making lateral moves. Whitt will call the Commanders’ defensive plays, putting Quinn in place as a CEO coach in Washington.

The Cowboys are not standing in the way of multiple other assistants following Quinn, however. They will not nix Commanders interviews with assistant defensive line coach Sharrif Floyd or quality control staffer Pete Ohnegian, Archer adds. A former first-round Vikings draftee, Floyd joined McCarthy’s Cowboys staff in 2023.

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Cowboys Make Staff Changes

By | at February 8, 2020 3:46 pm

In announcing their coaching staff, the Cowboys revealed more new names coming to join Mike McCarthy in his first season.

Although this offseason featured a few ex-Cowboys assistants going to New York to follow Jason Garrett, McCarthy hired former Giants staffer Lunda Wells to be his tight ends coach. Wells joins assistant offensive line coach Jeff Blasko and first-year coach Scott Tolzien as the latest additions to McCarthy’s first Dallas staff.

However, the most notable move may be a holdover changing roles. Doug Nussmeier will move from tight ends coach to leading the Cowboys’ quarterbacks.

This marks a notable promotion for the two-year tight ends coach, but this new position will mark a return to the kind of responsibilities the longtime college assistant enjoyed. Nussmeier served as QBs coach and offensive coordinator at several major college programs — Washington, Alabama, Michigan and Florida among them — from 2009-17. In between, he served as the Rams’ QBs coach under Scott Linehan from 2006-07. Linehan helped bring Nussmeier to Dallas before the 2018 season.

The Cowboys retained Kellen Moore as their OC, and Nussmeier’s role with the franchise grew last year after the team transitioned from Linehan to Moore in that job. Nussmeier was also a candidate to be Dallas’ OC. His rise within the organization continues, with McCarthy tabbing Moore and Nussmeier to be his top voices on the offensive side of the ball. Nussmeier, 49, will replace Jon Kitna as QBs coach.

Set to move into Nussmeier’s previous role, Wells spent the past eight seasons with the Giants — seven of those coaching Big Blue’s offensive line or tight ends. Blasko worked under James Campen in Cleveland last year. Blasko worked with McCarthy in Green Bay.

Given starts with the Packers and Colts, prior to a stay in the Alliance of American Football, Tolzien will transition to coaching. The 32-year-old ex-quarterback spent three seasons with McCarthy in Green Bay before moving to Indianapolis to be one of Andrew Luck‘s backups in 2016.

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