FRISCO, TEXAS — Under Mike McCarthy’s new reign in Dallas, the Cowboys have parted ways with Gary Brown and usher in Skip Peete as the running backs coach. This will be Peete’s second stint with the Cowboys, who served as the RB’s coach from 2007-2012.
Most recently, Peete filled the positional role with the Los Angeles Rams (2016-2019) and helped develop Todd Gurley into one of the league’s elite featured backs. Gurley was named to two Pro Bowls under Peete’s leadership in 2017 and 2018, and was a two-time First-Team All-Pro the same two seasons. Peete led one of the best running games in the NFL and everyone remembers the way Gurley and C.J. Anderson gashed the Cowboys’ run defense in the Divisional Round of playoffs a year ago. Both finished with over 100 rushing yards and an average of over five yards per carry.
McCarthy and Peete have prior working experience together at the University of Pittsburgh in the early 90’s and the new sheriff in town decided to hire someone from the outside he is familiar with.
Brown has had undeniable success in Dallas from 2013-2019. Since the Cowboys drafted Ezekiel Elliott in 2016, he has been to three Pro Bowls (2016, 2018, 2019), a two-time NFL rushing leader (2016, 2018), First-Team All-Pro (2016), and Second-Team All-Pro (2018) under Brown’s direction.
But with a new coach, comes a new staff and McCarthy decided to move on from Brown. He knew his time with Dallas had likely ended, and after the Redskins game, Brown gave a goodbye speech to Elliott, Tony Pollard, and fullback Jamize Olawale on the sideline. He said, “ I don’t know what’s gonna happen tomorrow. I don’t know what they’re gonna do. I don’t have a contract. But, if they don’t bring me back, man, it was a pleasure. I mean, you guys made my life better. You know what I’m saying? So, we’ll see what happens, man. But I love each one of you guys like you’re my sons. So, whatever y’all need from me let me know. “
