TE Coach Mike Pope retiring, replaced by asst Steve Loney

Veteran Cowboys tight ends coach Mike Pope is retiring and will be replaced by senior offensive assistant Steve Loney, a source said.

Pope had considered retiring after last season but stayed on the staff one more season. Pope, who will turn 75 in two weeks, joined coach Jason Garrett's staff in 2014 after his second stint as the New York Giants' tight ends coach.

Pope was a part of the Giants' coaching staff on all four of their Super Bowl championship teams. He has 47 years of coaching experience, including 34 in the NFL. All but two of those seasons he coached tight ends.

Pope is well known for his oddball tight end drills he puts the players through every training camp.

Loney, who turns 65 in late April, joined the Cowboys' coaching staff as an assistant offensive line coach in 2015. Loney has spent most of his career coaching the offensive line.

Loney served as the St. Louis Rams' offensive line coach from 2008 to 2011 before serving two seasons as an assistant offensive line coach for Tampa Bay. He's also coached in the NFL for Minnesota and Arizona.

Pope didn't join the Cowboys' coaching staff at the Senior Bowl in 2016, and Loney handled the tight ends for the week of practices and the game.

I actually think this will be a loss. Couldnt do much with Escobar but turned Swaim into a serviceable player.

theoneandonly said:

I actually think this will be a loss. Couldnt do much with Escobar but turned Swaim into a serviceable player.

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I don't buy that Escobar couldn't play.
I think that Escobar just wasn't allowed to play much. 170 snaps in 2016 after having 230+ in two previous years. 30 receptions and 8 TDs. It's just silly to not use this guy in red zone or third down and short.