If the Cowboys played things differently, they could have had their all-star coaching staff. | From @ReidDHanson

Mike Zimmer will not be returning as the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys in 2025, and will most likely retire.

Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer confirmed that he wouldn't be returning to the team in 2025 and will likely retire from coaching in the

"The truth,'' Mike Zimmer tells us with a laugh, "is that I've wanted to be the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys for 25 years.''

Schottenheimer and the Cowboys have named Dave Borgonzi, Aaron Whitecotton and Andre Curtis to the staff, the team announced Wednesday. All three are defensive hires. And all three new additions were greatly influenced by new Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus . Schottenheimer, though, had final say on the hires as head coach.

Mike Zimmer, whose contract as Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator expired earlier in January, isn't looking like he'll be returning to the team in 2025. Since before the end of the regular season, speculation began to grow on Zimmer's future as multiple insiders and even Micah Parsons wondered if the coach would hang it up after returning to coaching in 2024.

Brian Schottenheimer has brought a former head coach onto his Dallas Cowboys staff. Former Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus was announced as

In addition to Eberflus, the Cowboys hired former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen as special teams coordinator, replacing John Fassel, who joined the Tennessee Titans after his contract expired. Sorensen previously worked with Schottenheimer in Seattle and Jacksonville.

Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer will not have Mike Zimmer running the defense for him in 2025. Zimmer told Ed Werder of ESPN that he will not be returning to Dallas for a second season. Zimmer said that he will likely retire from coaching.

Shortly after a full press conference with the new Cowboys head coach, the organization unveiled their next big plan: a new defensive coordinator. Specifically, the addition of Matt Eberflus, the former Chicago Bears head coach.

The Dallas Cowboys unveiled Brian Schottenheimer as their new head coach at The Star, and now the organization can begin to move forward after what was a disastrous last 12 months. Schotty, in speaking with the media, was direct and firm in knowing exactly what he wants, and how he wants his team to play.