Ralph Vacchiano
NFL reporter
Jerry Jones simply removed a coach who went 36-15 in 2021-23 earlier than struggling throughout this newest injury-plagued season. He did this despite the fact that they performed powerful for him down the stretch. He did this after praising him for weeks as a result of they could not agree on a brand new contract.
And worse but, he let Mike McCarthy stroll away a whole week into the offseason Coaching Carousel, after one of many high candidates – Mike Vrabel – had already been taken off the board when he was employed by the New England Patriots .
Maybe this all is smart to Jones. Maybe he has a superb plan. Maybe he is taking part in a sort of chess that is arduous for everybody else to see proper now. But after letting McCarthy flounder for months, after which ready per week longer than essential to make this remaining choice, it is comprehensible that everybody within the NFL is instantly questioning: What’s subsequent?
With Jerry Jones something is feasible. But at the least it nonetheless has loads of choices, a few of which could appear loopy, however positively cannot be dominated out. So here’s a record of seven attainable candidates to fill McCarthy’s previous footwear as the subsequent head coach of the Dallas Cowboys:
Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator: He has been probably the most wanted candidate for every of the final two hiring cycles and there’s no probability Jones will not attempt to make his record. During the season he made it identified that he could be very selective this time, however he has already completed the primary interviews with the Patriots, Bears, Raiders and Jaguars. Really, what’s yet one more? It’s nonetheless unclear whether or not Jones would need a third straight offensive-minded coach, however nobody doubts Johnson’s credentials after the stellar job he is completed working one of many NFL’s most inventive offenses and turning quarterback Jared Goff right into a star in Detroit.
Deion Sanders, University of Colorado head coach: Even if he does not at all times act like this together with his enterprise choices, Jones is a showman at coronary heart. He understands the best way to get consideration and the best way to promote a product. And who is aware of these items greater than “Coach Prime”? But Sanders has confirmed to be far more than simply glitz and publicity. He’s a extremely good coach too. He turned Jackson State into an FCS energy, then turned Colorado right into a bowl crew. He’s additionally a savvy recruiter, which might assist at the least slightly in free company. Lack of expertise as an NFL coach is irrelevant as he brings prompt credibility as an NFL Hall of Fame participant. He would command respect and make the Cowboys play arduous. Prime Time would have them prepared for prime time even when the playoffs arrive.
Would Prime Time have been successful in one other stint in Dallas, this time as coach?
Cliff Kingsbury Washington commanders offensive coordinator: Don’t low cost the attract of this Texan who started his teaching profession as an assistant on the University of Houston, then moved to Texas A&M earlier than turning into the pinnacle coach at Texas Tech. He has expertise as an NFL head coach with 4 mediocre seasons in Arizona (2019-22) that included a playoff berth. He is called an modern offensive thoughts and clearly labored wonders in Washington with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. It would most likely be a well-liked and thrilling rent, though it is unclear whether or not Jones would care a lot about this.
Bill Belichick, head coach on the University of North Carolina: Don’t giggle. Even although Belichick claims to be severe about his transfer to the faculty ranks, there is a motive the buyout in his contract is so comparatively small ($10 million now, $1 million beginning in June). There have already been experiences that he would have an interest within the Raiders job and earlier than turning into a Tar Heel he referred to as a number of NFL groups to see if they might be occupied with him. Those who know him swear that the Cowboys are one of many groups he has saved a watch on for a number of years. And there is no doubt that Jones, who as soon as had Belichick’s previous boss Bill Parcells as a coach, would have an interest, too. It’s been some time since Jones has made a giant, daring energy transfer like this, but when anybody desires to persuade Belichick to desert North Carolina after a month, Jones is perhaps the probably proprietor to do it .
Kellen Moore, Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator: He was a well-liked offensive coordinator in Dallas from 2019-22, when his offense ranked first general within the NFL twice and eleventh and 14th the opposite two seasons. Things did not finish properly when McCarthy wished to start out naming his personal performs, however Moore nonetheless has many associates within the group. Additionally, in his first yr in Philadelphia, he utterly revived the Eagles offense that was a catastrophe in 2023 and completed this season eighth with a scheme constructed round working again Saquon Barkley and a potent speeding assault. This looks as if one thing the Cowboys might use.
Could the acquainted Kellen Moore be the correct particular person to interchange Mike McCarthy?
Pete Carroll, ex Seattle Seahawks head coach: The 73-year-old badly desires to return to the NFL. And whereas some would possibly see him as too previous, he is solely seven months older than Belichick. However, the 82-year-old Jones is unlikely to see age as a hindrance. Additionally, Carroll’s youthful power has at all times been thought of an asset. It’s additionally a confirmed winner. In truth, he’s one among solely three coaches to have received each a Super Bowl and a nationwide championship (it is price noting that the opposite two are former Cowboys coaches: Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer). Oh, and he was as soon as a graduate assistant at Jones’ beloved alma mater, the University of Arkansas.
Jason Witten, head coach at Liberty Christian (Tex.) High School: It is perhaps absurd, on the floor, to assume that anybody might make the leap straight from highschool head coach to NFL head coach. Maybe it’s. But Witten is a favourite of Jones who spent 16 seasons taking part in tight finish for the Cowboys. And remember, there are various groups that wish to emulate what Dan Campbell did in Detroit. Never thoughts that Campbell had loads of expertise as an NFL coach. For some, what he has completed is far more than that. That’s why Jones stated this about Witten in November: “He’s acquired one thing that you could’t course of. He jogs my memory loads of our different tight finish who’s a head coach up there in Detroit proper now. Jason could be very subtle on the subject of understanding the soccer and all of the nuances, however extra importantly than something, he actually understands the physique and the mentality of being bodily and that a part of it, certainly, he might turn out to be (an NFL coach) the perfect coach.” By the best way, Witten additionally led Liberty Christian to consecutive Texas state titles, proper in Jones’ yard.
Ralph Vacchiano is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports. He spent the earlier six years protecting the Giants AND Jets for SNY TV in New Yorkand earlier than that, 16 years protecting the Giants and the NFL for the New York Daily News. Follow him on Twitter at @RalphVacchiano.
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