Cowboys hire Klayton Adams as offensive coordinator to boost run game

New Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer has hired his replacement as offensive coordinator. Klayton Adams will run the Cowboys’ offense after two seasons coaching the offensive line for the Arizona Cardinals, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport.

Adams’ hiring fits with what Dallas COO Stephen Jones told Yahoo Sports’ Jori Epstein regarding what the team was seeking in a new coordinator. Schottenheimer, promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach on Jan. 24, will continue to call plays as head coach, so the Cowboys wanted a coach who could improve the offense’s rushing attack.

“The run game will be important in terms of how we fill that OC,” Jones told Epstein.

The Cowboys ranked 27th in the NFL with 1,705 yards rushing, averaging 100.3 yards per game, so there is plenty for Adams to improve.

Rico Dowdle led Dallas with 1,079 yards rushing, averaging 4.6 yards per carry. However, Ezekiel Elliott totaled 226 yards before being released after Week 17. No other Cowboys running back compiled 100 yards on the season.

By contrast, Arizona finished seventh with 2,451 yards and an average of 144.2 yards per game. James Conner was the Cardinals’ leading rusher with 1,094 yards, but struggled with a knee injury. Three other backs combined for 645 yards, while quarterback Kyler Murray rushed for 572.

Before joining Arizona’s staff, Adams coached tight ends and was an assistant offensive line coach with the Colts. He’s coached offensive line throughout his career, going back to his first regular assistant job as run game coordinator with Western Washington. Adams coached at Sacramento State, San Jose State and Colorado before moving to the NFL.

Adams joins former Chicago Bears coach Matt Eberflus, who was hired as defensive coordinator on Schottenheimer’s new staff.