Regarding the Dallas Cowboys’ decision to not extend head coach Mike McCarthy’s contract, Mike Doocy offers his initial views.
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The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly in the market for a new head coach.
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Dallas and head coach Mike McCarthy are not expected to reach a new deal.
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There are several coordinators and past coaches who could be the next on the sideline for the Cowboys.
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The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly in the market for a new head coach.
-
Dallas and head coach Mike McCarthy are not expected to reach a new deal.
-
There are several coordinators and past coaches who could be the next on the sideline for the Cowboys.
FRISCO, Texas:The Dallas Cowboys are currently searching for a head coach.
Mike McCarthy will not return to the squad as head coach for a second season. Officially, McCarthy’s contract expires on January 14.
Jerry Jones declared in a statement on Monday that “we will begin a search process immediately to hire the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.”
You should be aware of the following names as potential McCarthy substitutes.
Ben Johnson – Offensive Coordinator, Detroit Lions
Dec. 15, Detroit, Michigan: On December 15, 2024, in Detroit, Michigan, Ben Johnson, the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, watches during the fourth quarter of a game against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field. (Getty Images/Mike Mulholland photo)
Ben Johnson, the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, is anticipated to be among the most sought-after candidates for coaching this offseason.
Pros: With 33.2 points per game, Johnson led the Lions’ dynamic offense to become the league’s top scoring club.
In terms of yards per game, the Lions offensive placed second in the league.
A portion of the Lions’ comeback has been attributed to Johnson’s inventive play-calling.
Cons: Johnson has no prior experience as a head coach.
The offensive coordinator is also up against fierce competition.
In recent weeks, Johnson has interviewed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, and Chicago Bears.
Kellen Moore – Offensive Coordinator, Philadelphia Eagles
DECEMBER 29: Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore watches the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 29, 2024. (Image courtesy of Getty I. Mitchell Leff)
If they are willing to bring him back, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and coordinator Kellen Moore would be a possibility.
Advantages: Jerry Jones once had faith in Moore.
Even after the Cowboys acquired Mike McCarthy, the former quarterback was retained as offensive coordinator and started working with Jason Garrett’s coaching staff.
Moore and Dak Prescott have a close friendship and have had successful statistical seasons together.
With Saquon Barkley’s assistance, Moore appeared to have healed Philadelphia’s offense, which had been struggling greatly at the end of the previous campaign.
Cons: Cutting ties with Moore was one of the Cowboys’ major decisions following their 2023 playoff defeat.
The 2023–2024 season was Prescott’s finest statistical regular season without Moore.
Jon Gruden – Former Las Vegas Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach
On October 10, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Then-Raiders head coach Jon Gruden runs off the field for halftime during an NFL football game versus the Chicago Bears. (Getty Images/Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal/Tribune News Service)
Jon Gruden, a former Super Bowl champion, might be open to joining the Cowboys.
Advantages: In 2002, Gruden won a Super Bowl in Tampa Bay.
Gruden has a 117-112 lifetime record and a plenty of head coaching expertise.
Jones seems to seek a culture-setter for his next head coach, and the tough coach might be just that.
Cons: Compared to his past stints, Gruden’s most recent head coaching assignment was less successful.
From 2018 to 2021, he led the Raiders to a 22-31 record in just over three years as head coach.
Following the release of multiple emails including racist, misogynistic, and homophobic language to Washington general manager Bruce Allen, Gruden resigned.
Due of the emails, Gruden was kicked out of the Buccaneers Ring of Honor in 2017.
Kliff Kingsbury – Offensive Coordinator, Washington Commanders
TAMPA, FL – SEPTEMBER 8: On September 8, 2022, Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsburg watches the national anthem from the sidelines before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Kliff Kingsbury, the offensive coordinator for Washington, has been mentioned for available positions throughout the league.
Advantages: Kingsbury has led the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Arizona Cardinals as head coach. He has also had head coaching experience in college and the NFL.
Kingsbury was signed by former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to lead the Washington Commanders offense for season.
This season, the Commanders’ offense under Kingsbury and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels was excellent.
After placing 24th in 2023, Washington finished eighth in the league in yards per game during the regular season.
Cons: Although Kingsbury’s offenses have occasionally performed exceptionally well, his overall track record as head coach is somewhat lacking.
Arizona finished 28-37-1 while he was head coach of the Cardinals.
Some have asked whether Kingsbury wants to return to head coaching immediately.
Joe Brady – Offensive Coordinator, Buffalo Bills
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – JUNE 11: Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady and Josh Allen #17 observe Bills minicamp in Orchard Park, New York, June 11, 2024. (Getty Images/Bryan M. Bennett photo))
Joe Brady, the coordinator for the Buffalo Bills, may also be a possibility.
Advantages: Brady’s offense has shown promise in several stops.
Before becoming well-known in college football as a coordinator, he served as Sean Payton’s offensive assistant with the New Orleans.
The 2019 LSU Tigers, who won the national championship, had Joe Brady as their offensive coordinator and Joe Burrow at quarterback.
He returned to the NFL in 2020, first serving as head coach Matt Rhule’s coordinator for the Carolina Panthers before joining the Buffalo Bills as both coach and coordinator.
Cons: Brady lacks experience as a head coach.
Josh Allen and Joe Burrow are two excellent quarterbacks who have contributed to Brady’s success.
When he was the Carolina Panthers’ coordinator, his offense was a mess.
Robert Saleh – Former Head Coach, New York Jets
NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 15: On September 15, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee, Robert Saleh of the New York Jets watches from the sidelines during an NFL football game versus the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Perry Knotts/Getty Images photo
The Cowboys may possibly consider hiring Robert Saleh, the former coach of the New York Jets.
Advantages: Saleh would be a good choice if the Cowboys are searching for a head coach with expertise.
Although Saleh was fired following a lackluster season with the New York Jets, he has a history of constructing formidable defenses.
Prior to joining the Jets, Saleh served as the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers from 2017 to 2020.
Cons: Saleh’s Jets teams have had a difficult season.
With a 20-36 record in just over three seasons, he was sacked after just five games this season.
Brian Flores – Defensive Coordinator, Minnesota Vikings
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 16: Following the Minnesota Vikings’ game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 16, 2024, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, defensive coordinator Brian Flores celebrates. The Bears lost to the Vikings.
Another excellent coordinator who is anticipated to receive head coaching buzz is Brian Flores.
Pros: One of the season’s surprises has been the Minnesota Vikings’ defense under Flores.
With only 19.5 points per game allowed, the Vikings defense ranked sixth in the league.
For a large portion of his career, Flores won four Super Bowls while working as a defensive coach in New England under Bill Belichick.
He led the Miami Dolphins from 2019 to 2021 and has head coaching experience as well.
In two of Flores’ three seasons, the Dolphins had a winning record.
Cons: Fireworks marked the conclusion of Flores’ time in Miami.
After failing to make the playoffs in any of his three seasons, he was fired after posting a 24–25 record.
Flores filed a lawsuit in 2022, claiming that the New York Giants, Houston Texans, and Denver Broncos had discriminated against him by refusing to hire him and that the Dolphins had fired him because he is Black.
Steve Spagnuolo – Defensive Coordinator, Kansas City Chiefs
CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 15: On December 15, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo watches the Kansas City Chiefs play the Cleveland Browns in the third quarter at Huntington Bank Field. (Image courtesy of Dia/Nick Cammett)
Former head coach Steve Spagnuolo has recently been the defensive coordinator for the Chiefs, who won a Super Bowl.
Pros: Spagnuolo’s defense has been strong for years, although fans tend to focus more on the Chiefs’ offense.
In January 2019, Spagnuolo was appointed defensive coordinator for the Chiefs.
Under Tom Coughlin, he won one Super Bowl with the Giants and three with the Chiefs.
Cons: In 2009, the St. Louis Rams signed Spagnanuolo as their head coach.
He finished with a 10-38 record over his three seasons with the team.
Aaron Glenn – Defensive Coordinator, Detroit Lions
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 22: On December 22, 2024, in Chicago, Illinois, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn watches the Detroit Lions play the Chicago Bears in the second half at Soldier Field. (Image via Getty Images/Michael Reaves)
In addition, the Cowboys might look at the Lions, who are ranked first, on the opposite side of the ball.
Advantages: at terms of points per game, Aaron Glenn’s defense came at sixth.
In 2005 and 2006, Glenn played with the Cowboys.
Cons: After starting as a personnel scout for the Jets, Glenn has risen to the post of defensive coordinator alongside former Cowboys teammate Dan Campbell.
He has never served as an NFL head coach.
Deion Sanders – Head Coach, Colorado
SAN ANTONIO, TX – DECEMBER 28: Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders welcomes his team prior to the Valero Alamo Bowl game against the BYU Cougars at Alamodome on December 28, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Ronal took the picture.
As everyone knows, Jerry Jones enjoys creating a big impression, and Deion Sanders is the most splashy hire there is.
Advantages: Sanders is well-known and regarded as a cultural influencer.
Some of his old colleagues support the former All-Pro defensive back, who won the 1995 Super Bowl with the Cowboys.
Michael Irvin made a suggestion that he was discussing with Jerry the possibility of hiring Sanders during the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson battle.
Michael Irvin says he intends to discuss Deion Sanders with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones at the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson battle. Netflix is currently streaming Paul vs. Tyson worldwide.
Cons: It doesn’t make much sense to remove the name from a Sanders hire.
Since accepting the head coaching position at Colorado, Deion has only had a 13–12 record and has never been a professional coach.
Jason Witten – Head Coach, Liberty Christian
During practice at Warrior Stadium at Liberty Christian School in Argyle, Texas, on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, Liberty Christian head coach Jason Witten motivates his squad during warm-ups. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Tribune News Service/Chris Torres via Gett
Jason Witten, a former tight end for the Dallas Cowboys, might be another high-profile hire.
Jones stated last year that Witten might have a future as an NFL head coach in an interview with 105.3 The Fan.
Pros: Witten has an amazing work ethic and is an all-time great player.
In terms of mindset, Jones likened Witten to fellow former Cowboys tight end Dan Campbell.
Cons: Although a lot of people on our list mention not having coaching expertise, Witten has the least amount of professional coaching experience.
At Liberty Christian in Argyle, Witten serves as the head coach at the moment.
The NFL and previous FOX 4 coverage are the sources of the information in this article.
