Oregon assistant coach to interview for job with Dallas Cowboys, per report
Oregon running backs coach Ra’Shaad Samples is set to interview for a job with the Dallas Cowboys, according to a report.
That’s per 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz, who notes that Samples would be interviewing for the same role with Dallas. Samples also currently serves as Oregon’s head coach.
Another college coach of interest to the Dallas Cowboys for their running backs coach job:
The Cowboys plan to interview Oregon’s Ra’Shaad Samples, sources tell @CBSSports/@247Sports.
Samples, a Dallas native, is Oregon’s assistant head coach and running backs coach.… pic.twitter.com/i34SgtaeUe
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) February 2, 2025
Samples has only been with Oregon since last summer. He was hired away from Arizona State where he was the wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator for the Sun Devils. Samples also previously coached in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams as their running backs coach in 2022. At that time, Samples was the youngest position coach in the NFL.
Oregon had a strong running back room in 2024 with Samples leading the charge in that department. Jordan James led the way with 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns on the season, but the Ducks also received good production from Noah Whittington — 540 yards and 6 touchdowns.
If Oregon does have to make a new hire, it would mean a 3rd running backs coach in 4 seasons under Dan Lanning. Samples replaced Carlos Locklyn, who left for the same job at Ohio State after the 2023 season.
Samples is a Dallas, Texas, native who played college football at Oklahoma State and Houston before beginning his coaching career.