IRVING – The Cowboys are looking for a special teams' coach.
Bruce DeHaven became the third assistant coach to leave the team since the season ended, signing on with Seattle a day after he interviewed with Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren.
He joins Mike Zimmer (Atlanta) and David Lee (Arkansas) on the departed list, and had it not worked out with the Seahawks, Cleveland had received permission from the Cowboys to speak to DeHaven on Friday.
"I loved Dallas/Fort Worth and I loved the people," said DeHaven, who joined the Cowboys in 2003. "I grew up a Cowboys' fan and it was an honor to coach here."
The Cowboys' special teams unit had been the most consistent part of the team since Bill Parcells took over. Last season, the Cowboys allowed 19.6 yards per kick return, which was second-best in the league, and punter Mat McBriar earned a Pro Bowl berth.
Under DeHaven's watch the Cowboys developed top coverage guys, such as Keith Davis and Ryan Fowler. In their last two games, Terence Newman returned a punt for a touchdown, and Miles Austin returned a kickoff for a score.
But they had two bizarre happenings in the kicking game when a 35-yard field goal attempt at Washington was blocked and returned to set up the Redskins' game-winning kick, and Tony Romo's dropped snap at Seattle in the wild-card round of the playoffs.
DeHaven, Zimmer and Lee did not have contracts with the Cowboys in 2007 and neither do safeties coach Mike MacIntyre and running backs coach Anthony Lynn.
Of course, the Cowboys are continuing to wait for Parcells to make his decision on whether he wants to return as head coach.
E-mail tarcher@dallasnews.com
Cowboys assistant coaches whose contracts have expired:
| Assistant | Position | New team | | Mike Zimmer | Def. coordinator | Atlanta | | David Lee | Quarterbacks | Arkansas | | Bruce DeHaven | Special teams | Seattle | | Mike MacIntyre | Safeties | | | Anthony Lynn | Running backs | | |
