DALLAS — The Dallas Cowboys have hired former Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus to be their new defensive coordinator, WFAA Cowboys insider Ed Werder confirmed Friday. The announcement comes less than an hour after news broke that the Cowboys would be hiring Brian Schottenheimer as their next head coach.

The Dallas Cowboys are promoting Brian Schottenheimer to head coach, making his first defensive hire -- potentially defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus -- all the more important.

The first name that drew widespread attention after McCarthy's departure was Deion Sanders. But three others are getting interviews.

According to NFL insider Ed Werder, the Dallas Cowboys are hiring Eberflus as their defensive coordinator under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer.

Ed Werder (@WerderEdNFL ... I don’t think the Dallas Cowboys had a plan,” Russini said. “I think they felt this would work out with Mike McCarthy. Mike McCarthy’s like, ‘Nah, I ...

Bisaccia is a well-respected coach who worked under Jason Garrett. That means he crosses off the most important prerequisite for Jones — the Cowboys know him. He’s also put together a more impressive resume than Schottenheimer, including a decent run as the interim coach for the Raiders.

And according to NFL insider Ed Werder, former Cowboys assistant Matt Eberflus has been hired as defensive coordinator. MORE: Dalla

Green Bay Packers assistant head coach and special team coordinator Rich Bisaccia has not been contacted by the Dallas Cowboys for an interview

Read the recent NFL news and rumors for fantasy football. According to Ed Werder, the Dallas Cowboys have hired former Chicago

After a couple of weeks of identifying top candidates, the Dallas Cowboys have replaced Mike McCarthy with his former offensive

Brian Schottenheimer is the ninth head coach since Jerry Jones bought the team in 1989, and tenth overall in franchise history.