Regarding the Dallas Cowboys’ decision to not extend head coach Mike McCarthy’s contract, Mike Doocy offers his initial views.
-
-
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.
-
-
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.
The Vikings defense was fifth in the league in points allowed, giving up just 19.5 points per game.
Flores worked as a defensive coach under Bill Belichick in New England for much of his career, winning four Super Bowls.
He also has head coaching experience, leading the Miami Dolphins from 2019-2021.
The Dolphins posted a winning record in two of the three seasons under Flores.
Cons:The end ofFlores’ tenure in Miami came with fireworks.
He posted a 24-25 record in three seasons and was fired after not reaching the playoffs in any of his three seasons.
Flores filed a lawsuit in 2022, accusing the Dolphins of firing him because he is Black and the New York Giants, Houston Texans and Denver Broncos for not hiring him because of discriminatory reasons.
Steve Spagnuolo – Defensive Coordinator, Kansas City Chiefs
CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 15: Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on during the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on December 15, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Dia
Steve Spagnuolo is a former head coach who has also led the Super Bowl-winning Chiefs defense in recent years.
Pros:While the Chiefs’ offense gets much of the attention from fans, Spagnuolo’s defense has been solid for years.
Spagnuolo was named the Chiefs’ defensive coordinator in January 2019.
He has won four Super Bowls, three with the Chiefs and one with the Giants under Tom Coughlin.
Cons:Spagnuolo was hired as a head coach by the St. Louis Rams in 2009.
In three seasons with the team, he posted a 10-38 record.
Aaron Glenn – Defensive Coordinator, Detroit Lions
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 22: Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn of the Detroit Lions looks on during the second half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 22, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Cowboys could also look to the other side of the ball from the top-seeded Lions.
Pros:Aaron Glenn’s defense finished seventh in points allowed per game.
Glenn played for the Cowboys in 2005 and 2006.
Cons:Glenn has worked his way up from personnel scout with the Jets to the defensive coordinator position with former Cowboys’ teammate Dan Campbell.
He has never been a head coach in the NFL.
Deion Sanders – Head Coach, Colorado
SAN ANTONIO, TX – DECEMBER 28: Deion Sanders head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes greets his team before the start of their game against the BYU Cougars in the Valero Alamo Bowl at Alamodome on December 28, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronal
We all know Jerry Jones loves to make a splash and there would be no splashier hire than Deion Sanders.
Pros:Sanders is a big name and is considered to be a culture-setter.
The former All-Pro defensive back won the Super Bowl with the Cowboys in 1995 and has the backing of some of his former teammates.
During the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight, Michael Irvin hinted that he was talking to Jerry about potentially hiring Sanders.
At the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight Michael Irvin says he plans to talk to Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones about Deion Sanders. Paul vs. Tyson is now available to watch globally on Netflix.
Cons:Take away the name and a Sanders hire doesn’t make much sense.
Deion has not coached at the professional level and only has a 13-12 record since taking the head coaching job at Colorado.
Jason Witten – Head Coach, Liberty Christian
Liberty Christian head coach Jason Witten encourages his team in warm ups during practice at Warrior Stadium at Liberty Christian School in Argyle, Texas, on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023. (Chris Torres/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Tribune News Service via Gett
Another splashy hire could be former Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten.
In an interview with 105.3 The Fan last year, Jones said that Witten could have a future as an NFL head coach.
Pros:Witten is an all-timer as a player, with an incredible work ethic.
Jones compared Witten to fellow former Cowboys tight end Dan Campbell when it comes to mentality.
Cons:While much of our list cites a lack of coaching experience, no one on the list has as little professional coaching experience as Witten.
Witten is currently the head coach of Liberty Christian in Argyle.
The Source:Information in this article comes from the NFL and past FOX 4 coverage.
