If you haven’t heard of Paul Pasqualoni, there’s a good chance you’ll get to know him well over the next eight weeks.
This is because Pasqualoni is the man charged with the unenviable task of resurrecting the Dallas Cowboys’ defense. After Wade Phillips was fired on Monday, Pasqualoni was promoted from defensive line coach to defensive coordinator, a role he filled with the Miami Dolphins in 2008 and 2009.
Pasqualoni was fired after last season, when the Dolphins finished 22nd in total defense, and returned to the Cowboys, where he had previously served as a tight ends coach (in 2005) and linebackers coach (in 2006). He previously served as the head coach at Syracuse University for 14 seasons.
Pasqualoni was the obvious choice to replace Phillips, as he is the only assistant on the payroll with experience in the 3-4. Aside from that, owner and Jerry Jones believes that he, like Jason Garrett, will bring a much-needed shift in the atmosphere around Valley Ranch.
"I think that he brings something to the table to institute something for us this week, next week, and if you will for these eight weeks," Phillips said, per ESPN Dallas, "to institute a change in the culture."
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