The Dallas Cowboys are shaking up their coaching staff even further after the abrupt departure of head coach Mike McCarthy.
According to NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, "Sources: The #Titans are hiring former #Cowboys STC John Fassel as their new Special Teams Coordinator. Colt Anderson was informed he's out."
"With Mike McCarthy out in Dallas, Fassel was free to explore opportunities and now heads to Tennessee. His special teams units consistently ranked among the NFL's best."
Sources: The #Titans are hiring former #Cowboys STC John Fassel as their new Special Teams Coordinator. Colt Anderson was informed he’s out.
With Mike McCarthy out in Dallas, Fassel was free to explore opportunities and now heads to Tennessee. His special teams units… pic.twitter.com/6Er7QhyQq9
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Last week, the Cowboys made the decision to part ways with McCarthy, ending his five-season tenure.
McCarthy, who posted a 49-34 record with the Cowboys, tied for the eighth-best in the NFL alongside the Minnesota Vikings, leaves behind a mixed legacy. During his time in Dallas, McCarthy led the team to three straight 12-win seasons (2021-2023), a feat the Cowboys hadn't achieved since their Super Bowl-winning years of the early '90s.
However, despite these impressive regular-season results, the team's failure to reach a conference championship game during this stretch—despite consistently strong seasons—left McCarthy's future in doubt.
The Cowboys made history as the first team since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger to win 12 games in three consecutive seasons without advancing to the conference title game.
This anomaly was largely attributed to key injuries to quarterback Dak Prescott, who suffered season-ending injuries in both 2020 (a fractured ankle) and 2024 (a torn hamstring), keeping the team from reaching its postseason potential.
After a 23-19 home loss to the Washington Commanders in Week 18, which sealed the Cowboys' 7-10 finish, McCarthy made it clear he wanted to continue with Dallas despite his contract expiring on January 14.
However, it seems Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was unable to come to a satisfactory agreement with McCarthy, leading to his dismissal. McCarthy, who is now interviewing with other teams, leaves behind a team in transition as the Cowboys quickly search for a new head coach to lead them forward and also, apparently, a special teams coordinator.
Meanwhile, the Titans have made a significant move of their own, hiring former Cowboys STC Fassel in the same position.
Fassel replaces Colt Anderson, who was widely criticized for his performance in the role last season. Fassel brings extensive experience to the Titans, having coached special teams for the Dallas Cowboys from 2020 to 2024 under McCarthy.
Prior to his time in Dallas, Fassel held special teams coaching positions with the Baltimore Ravens (2005-2007), Oakland Raiders (2008-2011), and the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams (2012-2019).
In 2016, Fassel also served as the interim head coach for the Rams after Jeff Fisher's departure. His depth of experience and respected reputation in the field is expected to be a major asset for the Titans, who are looking to bounce back from a disastrous 3-14 season.
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