Advertisement

5 Cowboys coaching candidates (Deion Sanders!) with Mike McCarthy gone

cory woodroof
·3 min read
TUCSON, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 19: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes watches from the sidelines during the second half of the NCAAF game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 19, 2024 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776155567 ORIG FILE ID: 2179648541
TUCSON, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 19: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes watches from the sidelines during the second half of the NCAAF game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 19, 2024 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776155567 ORIG FILE ID: 2179648541

The Dallas Cowboys need a new head coach after parting ways with Mike McCarthy on Monday.

Team owner Jerry Jones has a colossal hire on his hands, as this Dallas team can compete now. As far as coaching openings in this cycle, the Cowboys might have the best one right now.

As we look at the potential coaches out there, five come to mind as sensible choices for Dallas.

Yes, one of them is a very flashy hire that we think Jones would happily make to regain national prominence for his franchise. Four of them are some of the hottest coordinators in this coaching pool.

Let's break them down and why they all make sense ... even the most headline-ready hire.

Lions OC Ben Johnson

Nov 28, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson talks with fans on the sidelines during pregame warmups before their game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Nov 28, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson talks with fans on the sidelines during pregame warmups before their game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

If Jones can stay patient and not give in to an impulsive hire, Johnson might find Dallas to be his best landing spot in this cycle. With a franchise quarterback, an elite wide receiver, a solid offensive line and dangerous pieces on defense in place, Johnson could hit the ground running in the Lone Star State. If Johnson is as good of a head coach as he is a coordinator, the Cowboys could be set for the future with one of the most exciting young leaders in the NFL on the sideline.

Bills OC Joe Brady

Oct 20, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady on th field before a game against the Tennessee Titans at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
Oct 20, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady on th field before a game against the Tennessee Titans at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Brady led one of the NFL's best offenses this past season, one with quarterback Josh Allen playing some of the best ball of his career. He's a promising young coach who could infuse a new energy into Dallas. The Cowboys need a fresh offensive perspective, and Brady could bring it. As long as he nails the defensive coordinator hire, Brady could be a nice fit for Dallas in this cycle.

Lions DC Aaron Glenn

Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn talks with linebacker Jack Campbell during the first half against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn talks with linebacker Jack Campbell during the first half against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.

Glenn is a really darn good football coach, and Dallas would be smart to hire one of the best defensive minds in the NFL to lead the franchise. Perhaps Glenn could bring one of the offensive coaches with him from Detroit to lead the Cowboys' offense? This pairing makes a lot of sense.

Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury

Oct 13, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury on the sidelines during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images ORG XMIT: IMAGN-880951 ORIG FILE ID: 20241013_twg_gb3_033.JPG
Oct 13, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury on the sidelines during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images ORG XMIT: IMAGN-880951 ORIG FILE ID: 20241013_twg_gb3_033.JPG

Kingsbury spent a good amount of time coaching in Texas at the college level. It makes a lot of sense for him to return as the Cowboys' head coach. Dallas could make a conference rival weaker by hiring Kingsbury away from Washington. Perhaps he could get this Cowboys offense back to elite form? The defensive coordinator hire would be big, as it would with any offensive head coach.

Colorado HC Deion Sanders

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 23: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes walks the sideline in the second half against the Colorado Buffaloes at Arrowhead Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 23: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes walks the sideline in the second half against the Colorado Buffaloes at Arrowhead Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

If Jones wants a splash, well, here it is. Sanders has done commendable work as of late with Colorado, and him making the jump to the NFL has always been a possibility. Sanders played for Dallas during its last Super Bowl win in the 1990s. Maybe he'd be part of another one for the Cowboys as the head coach? You can't rule this level of star power out.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: 5 Cowboys coaching candidates (Deion Sanders!) with Mike McCarthy gone