Robert Saleh is interviewed as the Dallas Cowboys continue their hunt for a head coach; Leslie Frazier will follow.
As the Dallas Cowboys continue their search for a new head coach in 2024, the franchise has engaged in multiple interviews with a range of candidates, hoping to find the right individual who can restore the team to championship contention. One of the more prominent names recently in the mix is Robert Saleh, the defensive-minded head coach of the New York Jets, whose name has come up frequently in speculation surrounding the Cowboys’ search. Saleh’s reputation as a strong leader, disciplinarian, and defensive innovator has captured the attention of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and the front office as they look for someone to lead the team back to the Super Bowl.
Following Saleh’s interview, the Cowboys are also set to meet with Leslie Frazier, the former Minnesota Vikings head coach and current defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills. The timing of these interviews reflects the Cowboys’ intent to build a balanced and dynamic coaching staff capable of competing with the best teams in the NFL. Both Saleh and Frazier bring strong defensive backgrounds, with an emphasis on discipline and leadership—qualities that the Cowboys have lacked in recent seasons.
Robert Saleh: A Rising Star in Coaching
Robert Saleh’s name has risen to prominence in recent years as one of the brightest defensive minds in the NFL. After a decade of coaching experience with several NFL teams, Saleh became the head coach of the New York Jets in 2021. His journey to becoming a head coach began in 2011 when he joined the Seattle Seahawks as a defensive quality control coach. After working under head coach Pete Carroll for several years, Saleh moved on to the San Francisco 49ers, where he became the defensive coordinator in 2017. During his tenure with the 49ers, Saleh’s defenses were consistently among the best in the NFL, and his innovative schemes were key to the 49ers’ Super Bowl LIV appearance in 2020.
Saleh’s success in San Francisco caught the attention of NFL teams looking for fresh, dynamic coaching talent, and he was hired by the Jets in 2021. Under Saleh’s leadership, the Jets’ defense showed immediate improvement, though the team struggled overall with inconsistency at quarterback and on offense. However, Saleh’s ability to instill a disciplined and hard-nosed culture in New York, combined with his impressive track record as a defensive coordinator, made him a natural candidate for other head coach positions—such as the one with the Cowboys.
The Cowboys’ defensive woes in recent seasons have been a significant talking point, particularly with the team’s inability to stop the run and their struggles in key defensive situations during high-pressure moments. Despite having star players like Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Trevon Diggs, the Cowboys defense has failed to consistently deliver in clutch moments, particularly during playoff games. Saleh, known for his aggressive defensive schemes, would bring a fresh, no-nonsense approach to a defense that has often been inconsistent.
Saleh’s interview with the Cowboys will likely center on his defensive philosophy, leadership style, and his ability to elevate the entire team. The Cowboys’ front office will undoubtedly want to understand how Saleh plans to improve the defense, inspire a culture of accountability, and develop young talent such as Parsons into perennial Pro Bowlers. One of the biggest selling points for Saleh as a head coaching candidate is his reputation as a leader who is capable of uniting players around a common vision, a quality that has often been lacking in the Cowboys’ locker room in recent years.
Leadership and Defensive Philosophy: What Saleh Can Bring to the Cowboys
Robert Saleh’s leadership style is one of his defining traits. As a defensive coordinator, Saleh was known for his fiery demeanor, but also for his ability to connect with players and get the best out of them. His passion for the game is infectious, and he has been praised for fostering a culture of toughness and resilience. These traits could be crucial for a Cowboys team that has at times been criticized for its lack of grit and discipline, especially in high-stakes games.
Defensively, Saleh’s expertise is in building schemes that focus on speed, versatility, and aggression. His defenses with the 49ers were known for their fast, physical style of play, and Saleh would likely look to replicate that approach in Dallas. Under Saleh’s leadership, the 49ers were able to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks without necessarily needing to blitz excessively, thanks to a strong defensive line and disciplined coverage schemes in the secondary. Saleh is also known for being adaptable, adjusting his defensive game plans to take away the strengths of opposing offenses.
For the Cowboys, Saleh’s focus on defensive discipline would be a welcome change. The Cowboys’ defense has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly in the pass rush, but has often faltered in critical moments—especially in the postseason. Saleh’s ability to get the most out of his players, particularly those on the defensive line and in the secondary, could make a significant difference in terms of improving the Cowboys’ overall defensive performance.
On the offensive side of the ball, Saleh would need to work closely with the Cowboys’ offensive staff, especially since the team’s success in recent years has been more dependent on quarterback Dak Prescott and the offense than the defense. The Cowboys’ offensive unit has shown promise, but consistency has been an issue—especially in the playoffs. A strong head coach like Saleh could provide the leadership needed to foster better communication and collaboration between the two sides of the ball, which is often a key factor in the success of top NFL teams.
Leslie Frazier: A Veteran Voice to Complement Saleh
As part of the Cowboys’ ongoing search for a head coach, the team is also planning to interview Leslie Frazier, the former Minnesota Vikings head coach and current defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills. Frazier’s resume includes extensive experience coaching defense in the NFL, and he is widely respected as one of the top defensive minds in the league. Frazier served as the Vikings’ head coach from 2010 to 2013 and later transitioned into a successful defensive coordinator role with the Buffalo Bills.
Under Frazier, the Bills’ defense has been among the most consistent and opportunistic in the NFL, particularly in terms of turnovers and defensive efficiency. He has helped develop one of the top defensive units in the league, with players like Tre’Davious White, Matt Milano, and Ed Oliver flourishing under his guidance. Frazier’s ability to build cohesive, hard-hitting defenses that can stifle opposing offenses and generate turnovers would make him a strong candidate to help the Cowboys re-establish a defensive identity.
Frazier’s experience as a former head coach also gives him a unique perspective. His leadership and ability to manage a team at all levels—both offensively and defensively—would complement Saleh’s defensive focus. While Saleh may bring the fiery passion and energy that the Cowboys need, Frazier could offer a steadying, veteran voice that has navigated the complexities of being a head coach. As a potential defensive coordinator or senior advisor, Frazier could play a key role in shaping the Cowboys’ defense and helping Saleh manage the broader aspects of team leadership.
The Cowboys’ Future: A Balanced Approach to Leadership
As the Cowboys continue to search for a head coach, the interviews with Robert Saleh and Leslie Frazier reflect the franchise’s desire to build a more balanced and disciplined team. With an offense that has the potential to be explosive and a defense that needs rejuvenation, the Cowboys are looking for a head coach who can bring a sense of order and accountability to the locker room.
Both Saleh and Frazier offer unique attributes that could fit well within the Cowboys’ organizational framework. Saleh’s energetic and aggressive leadership style could inspire the Cowboys to play with more urgency and focus, while Frazier’s defensive acumen and steady presence could provide the kind of stability the team needs to build a top-tier defense.
In the coming days, it will be interesting to see how these interviews play out and whether the Cowboys decide to take a risk with an up-and-coming head coach like Saleh or go for a more experienced option like Frazier. Either way, the Cowboys’ search for a new head coach is shaping up to be a pivotal moment in the franchise’s quest for a return to Super Bowl glory.
