In a notable nod from their peers, three Dallas Cowboys coordinators have ridden high in the saddle in the NFLPA's latest survey, securing top-five spots in their respective roles. The NFL Players Association conducted a survey among players between August and November 2023, and the Cowboys' coaching staff emerged with high praise, especially special teams coordinator John Fassel, who reigned supreme as the number one in the league, as reported by The Dallas Express.
According to the insights, Dan Quinn, the Cowboys' defensive maestro, placed third among defensive coordinators, following Detroit Lions' Aaron Glenn and 49ers' Steve Wilks, players rated Brian Schottenheimer third for offensive coordinators, though he doesn't call the plays. That job falls to head coach Mike McCarthy, and John Fassel's mastery of special teams not only garnered him the top spot but also seems to have contributed to turning what was once a struggling unit into a point of strength for Dallas, according to The Dallas Express.
Fassel's prowess was echoed in sentiments expressed by NFLPA president J.C. Tretter, who said that the survey aimed to give players a channel to laud standout coordinators impacting their daily routines, suggesting that these results may influence the upcoming hiring processes for head coaches in the league, as per Bleacher Report.
It wasn't just the Cowboys' special teams that had players tipping their hats, as McCarthy praised Quinn by saying, "Dan Quinn's as fine of a human being as I've ever worked with," adding, "I just think the world of him and the way he goes about his business personally and professionally," he told the media last week. McCarthy expounded on the respect he had for Quinn before he arrived in Dallas, and that his esteem only grew after, according to The Dallas Express.
Despite these accolades, some results may cause a double take, with Frank Smith of the Miami Dolphins topping the offensive coordinators' list sans play-calling duties and Brian Schottenheimer and Brian Callahan being recognized despite not calling plays for their teams, while the Lions' popular offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was absent from the list. The survey, with over 2,600 participating players, posits that success as a coordinator doesn't always translate to player buy-in, hinting that teams might need to revisit the drawing board when considering candidates for head-coaching positions beyond mere statistics, as noted by Bleacher Report.
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