Cowboys bring back Houck as offensive line coach

Published: Jan 18, 2008 at 09:23 AM

IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys hired Hudson Houck as offensive line coach Friday, returning him to the job he had on two of the Super Bowl-winning teams in the 1990s.

Houck was swept out in Miami when former Cowboys coach Bill Parcells fired most of the Dolphins coaches after taking over as executive vice president of football operations.

Houck replaces Tony Sparano, who is the new Dolphins head coach. Sparano was also the former assistant head coach. That position was filled by offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, who turned down head coaching overtures in Atlanta and Baltimore to stay with the Cowboys.

During his first stint with the Cowboys, Houck coached the offensive line from 1993 to 2001. Former Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith averaged a career-best 5.3 yards and was the Super Bowl MVP in Houck's first season. Dallas won the Super Bowl again two years later.

The Cowboys' offensive line had at least one Pro Bowl player and at least one All Pro in each of Houck's nine seasons. Among the stars during his tenure were Larry Allen and Nate Newton.

After leaving Dallas, Houck spent three years in San Diego and three in Miami. He started his NFL coaching career with a nine-year stint with the Los Angeles Rams, then spent a year with Seattle. Before joining the Rams, Houck spent seven seasons coaching the offensive line at USC, his alma mater.

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