3 biggest problem areas Cowboys next head coach needs to fix

Like every offseason, changes are certain for the Dallas Cowboys. New faces will take place of old ones via free agency and the NFL draft, but this year the biggest change will be who steps in as the new head coach replacing Mike McCarthy.

As of right now there is no clear favorite to become McCarthy’s replacement. But, the one thing we know for sure is whoever takes over as the new HC will try to implement what he deems best for the organization moving forward. Coming off an injury-plagued 7-10 losing season, whoever is in charge has their work cut out for them.

Today, we identify and discuss three of the Cowboys biggest problem areas during McCarthy’s tenure in Dallas that the new head coach needs to fix. If the new HC can fix these problem areas, he may be able to accomplish what McCarthy couldn’t by ending the Cowboys playoff curse in the not-too-distant future.

Cut down the penalties

The Cowboys were the most penalized team in the entire league in 2024. This of course isn’t a new problem for them. In Mike McCarthy’s five season as the HC in Dallas they’ve averaged a league-high 6.8 penalties per game, but where whistled for the eighth fewest penalties per game in the three seasons prior to his arrival. It’s already hard to win games in the NFL, even harder when continuously shooting yourself in the foot.

Penalties of course are going to happen, but it was obvious they happened more often for the Cowboys in McCarthy’s era as HC over the last half decade. Whoever takes over as the new HC in Dallas will have to figure out eliminating the amount of yellow laundry. It is a top priority for the next HC.

Fix red zone woes

It’s no secret the Cowboys struggled mightily this year in the red zone both offensively and defensively. Offensively, they ended up ranked 31st overall in red zone scoring efficiency at 46%. The fact that they also led the league in red zone turnover’s didn’t help either. The lack of innovative, creative play-calling and poor execution often times resulted in a Brandon Aubrey field goal instead of a touchdown.

Defensively they weren’t any better. They finished 32nd in the league in the red zone, allowing an opponents red zone scoring efficiency of 75%. Injuries of course played a big part in all of this, but it’s also been a problem area for them in the past as well. Hopefully whoever takes over for McCarthy finds some way to improve this problem area on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball moving forward.

Cultural change

There’s little to nothing a new HC can do about the chaotic, zoo-like atmosphere Jerry Jones has created for his team, but there is something he can do behind closed doors in the locker room to change the culture for his players. Look no further than what Dan Campbell did to the Detroit Lions when he took over as their HC. He demanded toughness and accountability from his players and it turned them from the laughingstock of the NFL to one of the better teams in just a few years time.

“Toughness” and “accountability” just so happens to be two things this organization seems to have been lacking under both Mike McCarthy’s and Jason Garrett’s tenure as HC. This is a team that has been called “soft” on numerous occasions in the past and hopefully that changes with whoever replaces McCarthy. While personnel changes via free agency and the draft will help, it mostly has to do with an attitude adjustment. After all, “attitude reflects leadership”, at least according to the movie Remember the Titans.