The NFL coaching carousel never really stops spinning - it just changes speed. And right now, it’s picking up again.
When a head coach moves on, it’s not just a one-man departure. Often, they take trusted staffers with them, reshaping multiple franchises in the process.
That’s exactly what’s happening with Mike McCarthy and the Dallas Cowboys.
After Mike Tomlin stepped down as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ head coach following an 18-year run, McCarthy stepped into the job - and he’s already reaching back to familiar territory to build out his staff. One of his first moves? Bringing in Cowboys assistant offensive line coach and quality control coach Ramon Chinyoung to be his new running backs coach in Pittsburgh.
For those who’ve been following closely, this might feel like déjà vu. Just two years ago, the Cowboys watched defensive coordinator Dan Quinn leave for the Washington Commanders’ head coaching job, and he didn’t go alone - he took secondary coach Joe Whitt Jr. with him to run his defense. Now, McCarthy is following a similar script.
Chinyoung might not have been a household name among fans, but inside the Cowboys’ building, he was highly regarded. He’d just wrapped up his third season with Dallas and had quietly become one of the more respected voices in the offensive line room.
While Conor Riley - the current OL coach - earned plenty of praise in his first year at the helm, Chinyoung’s behind-the-scenes impact was real. This is one of those under-the-radar departures that could sting more than expected.
It’s a reminder of how many key contributors on an NFL coaching staff never make the headlines. Beyond the head coach and coordinators, there’s a whole tier of assistants, analysts, and quality control coaches who help shape game plans, develop players, and keep things running smoothly. Chinyoung was one of those guys - a developmental coach who helped mold a young offensive line into one of the league’s more promising units.
And make no mistake: this line is young. Right tackle Terence Steele, the group’s elder statesman, won’t even turn 29 until June.
Pro Bowl left guard Tyler Smith, left tackle Tyler Guyton, and center Cooper Beebe are all just 24. Right guard Tyler Booker - already flashing serious star potential - is only 21.
That’s a lot of talent with a lot of upside, and coaches like Chinyoung play a major role in helping that kind of group grow.
McCarthy, of course, has been around the NFL block. His coaching journey started back in 1993 with the Kansas City Chiefs as a quality control coach, and he climbed the ladder to become the Saints’ offensive coordinator in 2000 before spending 13 seasons as head coach of the Green Bay Packers. He’s got connections all over the league, and now he’s tapping into those ties to build his new staff in Pittsburgh.
For the Cowboys, this is another reminder that staff continuity is hard to maintain when your assistants are doing good work. Other teams notice. And when former coaches land new jobs - especially ones with deep ties to your organization - you’re going to lose some of those behind-the-scenes stars.
Chinyoung’s move to Pittsburgh may not dominate the headlines, but it’s a smart hire for McCarthy and a subtle loss for Dallas. The Cowboys still have plenty of talent in the trenches, but replacing a respected developmental coach like Chinyoung is no small task.