Cowboys Coach Search: Bill Belichick TE Guru Fit for Dallas Offense?
Could the Dallas Cowboys choose a limb from the Bill Belichick coaching tree to guide their offense?
Following the departure of Kellen Moore, the Cowboys are now on the hunt for a new offensive coordinator. In fact, they are wasting no time in starting their search. The team has already scheduled Carolina Panthers running backs coach Jeff Nixon for an interview.
While coach Mike McCarthy is speaking with members of his own coaching tree such as Brian Schottenheimer and Ben McAdoo, there is also something to be said for exploring new ideas.
Enter New England Patriots tight ends coach Nick Caley.
The long-time Belichick associate has quietly become a hot coaching commodity, having been listed on NFL Media’s annual ‘Watch List’ of rising head-coaching candidates under the age 45. His contract with the Patriots is set to expire in February.
Though it may be a long shot, picking Belichick's brain might fit the mold of taking a different direction - one which has seen more success than failure in recent years.
The 40-year-old is currently the Patriots longest-tenured offensive assistant. He coached at the collegiate level for 10 years before becoming part of the team’s staff in 2015. In 2017, he was promoted and became New England’s tight ends coach. Caley added to his resume in 2020, by adding the title of being the team's fullbacks coach in addition to his duties as tight ends coach. Throughout his tenure, he has worked with top-level talent such as Rob Gronkowski, Martellus Bennett, Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith.
During his time in New England, Caley has earned a solid reputation for his leadership and knowledge among his colleagues, as well as his players. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that he was rumored as a potential candidate to replace Josh McDaniels as New England’s offensive coordinator last offseason. Coach Bill Belichick ultimately decided to fill that void with a combination of Matt Patricia and Joe Judge; though Caley was given some opportunities to call plays during training camp and the preseason.
Earlier this month, Caley interviewed for the Patriots vacant offensive coordinator position, which eventually went to ex-Alabama Crimson Tide OC Bill O'Brien. He also met with the New York Jets regarding their opening. However, the team hired ex-Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett last week.
Caley reportedly attempted to join McDaniels — a fellow John Carroll University product — in Las Vegas prior to the start of the 2022 season. However, the Patriots blocked him from doing so. Though a reunion with McDaniels remains possible this offseason, the Raiders have given no indication of moving on form any of their current coaches.
He was also rumored to be a potential candidate for a coaching position with Houston, if the Texans had hired Philadelphia Eagles' offensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. With Houston's hiring of ex-San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans, he looks to be off the team's radar. It should be noted, however, that like Caley, Texans general manager Nick Caserio is also an alum of John Carrol University.
Though technically still under contact, Caley is not among the Patriots coaching contingent in as Vegas this week to coach the West squad at this year's East-West Shrine Bowl. If he has decided to move on from New England, Dallas should be intrigued, and pleasantly surprised, by speaking with Caley regarding their open position.
Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL.
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