The defensive coordinator problem/solution may not just be about getting a different guy in the chair.
Maybe he thought that if his program can record 10 wins with a defense ranked 99th, what might happen with a defense that could bear at least a slight resemblance to Alabama’s or Georgia’s?
While Gundy begins the process of identifying Spencer’s successor, he also might reconsider his stance on spring- and preseason-practice procedures. Rarely do the Cowboys do any big hitting and actual tackling while on the practice field. There always is the injury consideration, and Gundy understandably wants to preserve his best personnel.