Dallas Cowboys, Mike McCarthy begin search for OC; Kellen Moore lands with Chargers

Less than 24 hours after parting with the Dallas Cowboys, Kellen Moore has been hired by the Los Angeles Chargers as offensive coordinator.

Moore was one of eight coaches removed from the Cowboys staff following a 12-5 season, which ended with a 19-12 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Divisional Playoffs.

Moore didn’t take long to find a new home.

Moore is replacing offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi with the Chargers where he will go from coaching quarterback Dak Prescott in Dallas to coaching 2020 first-round pick Justin Herbert.

Moore had been the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator since 2019 and was considered crucial to Prescott’s continued development when coach Mike McCarthy was hired in 2020.

The Cowboys twice ranked first in yards (2019, 2021) and once ranked first in points (2021) with Moore as the offensive coordinator and play caller.

The Cowboys were 11th in yards and fourth in points this season when Prescott threw a career-high 15 interceptions.

McCarthy and the Cowboys believed Prescott needed a new voice in his head and to get out of his comfort zone for him and the team to take it to the next level.

McCarthy is expected to call plays but the team will need a new offensive coordinator.

Brian Schottenheimer, who served as a Cowboys coaching consultant in 2022, could be an option.

Per NFL rules, the Cowboys must comply with the Rooney Rule and interview minority candidates before hiring an offensive coordinator.

McCarthy served as the Packers’ playcaller for most of his 13-year tenure in Green Bay.

The other coaches let go by the Cowboys following the season included: running backs coach Skip Peete, senior defensive assistant/linebacker coach George Edwards, offensive line coach Joe Philbin, assistant defensive line coach Leon Lett, assistant head coach Rob Davis, quality control analytics coach Kyle Valero and quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier.