McCarthy Gone - Now the search is on - Schottenheimer Hired
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10 head coaches Cowboys will likely consider if Mike McCarthy doesn't return
By Bobby Belt, 105.3 The Fan
17 hours ago
Will they or won’t they? Is Jerry Jones going to give Mike McCarthy an extension or will he move on after five years together?
McCarthy’s return feels like a genuine coin flip at the moment. But who are some candidates that the Cowboys are likely to consider if Jones decides it’s time to move on?
Here are 10 names to look out for:
(1) Jon Gruden, Former Raiders and Buccaneers Head Coach
Why He Makes Sense: He checks a lot of boxes that the Cowboys like: Extensive NFL head coaching experience, a Super Bowl ring, a reputation as a quarterback guru, and someone who would instill discipline.
Why He Doesn’t: No head coaching hire would draw more negative publicity for the Cowboys than Gruden, who was essentially exiled from the league after several racially insensitive emails were leaked in 2021, leading to his dismissal from the Raiders. There were also mounting questions about whether Gruden was modern enough for today’s NFL.
(2) Vance Joseph, Denver Broncos Defensive Coordinator
Why He Makes Sense: Joseph is well-liked by his players, something the Joneses have clearly shown an appreciation for in their coaching searches. He’s thought of as one of the brighter defensive minds in football, and even though his two years as an NFL coach didn’t yield great results, he has experience running a football team.
Why He Doesn’t: As just pointed out, Joseph’s two-year run as a head coach went rather poorly, so you might be getting Wade Phillips 2.0 by hiring Joseph. With so much investment on the offensive side of the ball, the Cowboys would likely prefer an offensive-minded head coach.
(3) Kellen Moore, Philadelphia Eagles Offensive Coordinator
Why He Makes Sense: Cowboys brass still thinks very highly of Moore as a football mind, and he’s rebuilt his image as one of the game’s best coordinators in Philadelphia. He’s spent plenty of time in Dallas as a player and coach, so there wouldn’t be much about organizational structure that would surprise him.
Why He Doesn’t: The Cowboys prefer coaches with previous head coaching experience, and Moore obviously doesn’t have that. Things between Moore and the Cowboys ended poorly in January 2023, so Dallas would have to do some relationship repair for this to be an option.
(4) Matt Nagy, Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Coordinator
Why He Makes Sense: Many feel like Nagy didn’t get a fair shake in Chicago. In four seasons with the Bears, Nagy finished below .500 just one time and made the playoffs twice. He’s the only one of four coaches since Lovie Smith to lead the Bears to a winning record. Nagy has spent the vast majority of his career learning under offensive legend Andy Reid.
Why He Doesn’t: There were times where the Chicago job felt a little bit big for Nagy, and that will be an even bigger concern here in Dallas. As the heir apparent to Andy Reid in Kansas City, what would drive Nagy to take a career risk on the Cowboys?
(5) Doug Pederson, Former Jaguars and Eagles Head Coach
Why He Makes Sense: Pederson is a quarterback-centric coach who has won a Super Bowl title, and was fired after his first losing season in Jacksonville. Andy Reid, John Harbaugh, Kyle Shanahan, and Sean McVay are the only active coaches with more playoff victories and an above .500 postseason record. Pederson’s lone Super Bowl win came in a season where his team was decimated by injuries and missing its starting quarterback, something the Cowboys were familiar with in 2024.
Why He Doesn’t: The Jaguars collapsed at the end of 2023 and things spiraled out of control quickly in 2024. Pederson seemed rattled and unable to stop the bleeding when things got out of control in his last two stops, leading to hasty dismissals.
(6) Frank Reich, Former Panthers and Colts Head Coach
Why He Makes Sense: Similar to Nagy and Pederson, there is a case to be made that this quarterback-friendly coach was quickly scapegoated in Indy after a track record of success, and then set up to fail in his one-and-done season cleaning up Matt Rhule’s mess in Carolina. Reich is thought of as someone who can develop young players and coaches for future success, and has experience navigating hands-on owners like David Tepper and Jim Irsay.
Why He Doesn’t: It was a bad situation in Carolina, but Reich’s tenure there was flat out disastrous, and seemingly almost broke Bryce Young. Many would view that as far too grave a mistake to risk again with heavy investments on offense.
(7) Robert Saleh, Former NY Jets Head Coach
Why He Makes Sense: Saleh helped build the San Francisco 49ers into one of the game’s most physical, and schematically-advanced defenses in football, before taking the Jets job and helping them develop a similar reputation. He is thought of as a culture-builder who players will fight for, and has dealt with the most difficult owner situation in football with Woody Johnson.
Why He Doesn’t: Saleh is a defensive coach, which runs counter to what the Cowboys have looked for recently. And even though there was a lot of turmoil that Saleh was not responsible for with the Jets, it’s tough to look past some of the distractions and sideshows that public opinion felt he often mishandled.
(8) Mike Vrabel, Former Titans Head Coach
Why He Makes Sense: Vrabel is considered by many to be the defensive version of Dan Campbell, a former player who knows how to build a culture of winning, and develop autonomous assistant coaches who will get the most out of players.
Why He Doesn’t: Things took a pretty steep and rapid nosedive in Tennessee for Vrabel, and there is a thought around the league that Vrabel will insist on Brian Hartline as his offensive coordinator, who has no experience calling plays.
(9) Jason Witten, Former Dallas Cowboys Tight End
Why He Makes Sense: Witten has one serious advantage over every other potential candidate on this list: No one has spent more time around the Dallas Cowboys and understands what it takes to operate within the bounds of being “America’s Team” on a day-to-day basis than Witten. Nothing would come as a surprise to Witten in this job. The Cowboys would be making this hire in hopes of finding the next Dan Campbell, who would build a strong culture that could weather outside noise.
Why He Doesn’t: It’s quite simple: Absolutely no experience coaching at the NFL level.
(10) Mike Zimmer, Dallas Cowboys Defensive Coordinator
Why He Makes Sense: Jerry Jones couldn’t be more effusive in his praise of Zimmer over the last month of the season, pointing to steady improvement of the defense over the course of 17 games, even in the face of mounting injuries. He has won here in Dallas as an assistant coach, and has a long track record of overseeing competitive teams in Minnesota.
Why He Doesn’t: There is a question about whether or not Zimmer’s return to coaching was merely a confirmation to himself that it’s time to move on. 2024 was a very taxing year, and while the defense performed better down the stretch, the overall product isn’t too terribly impressive when statistically measured against the rest of the NFL.
By Bobby Belt, 105.3 The Fan
17 hours ago
Will they or won’t they? Is Jerry Jones going to give Mike McCarthy an extension or will he move on after five years together?
McCarthy’s return feels like a genuine coin flip at the moment. But who are some candidates that the Cowboys are likely to consider if Jones decides it’s time to move on?
Here are 10 names to look out for:
(1) Jon Gruden, Former Raiders and Buccaneers Head Coach
Why He Makes Sense: He checks a lot of boxes that the Cowboys like: Extensive NFL head coaching experience, a Super Bowl ring, a reputation as a quarterback guru, and someone who would instill discipline.
Why He Doesn’t: No head coaching hire would draw more negative publicity for the Cowboys than Gruden, who was essentially exiled from the league after several racially insensitive emails were leaked in 2021, leading to his dismissal from the Raiders. There were also mounting questions about whether Gruden was modern enough for today’s NFL.
(2) Vance Joseph, Denver Broncos Defensive Coordinator
Why He Makes Sense: Joseph is well-liked by his players, something the Joneses have clearly shown an appreciation for in their coaching searches. He’s thought of as one of the brighter defensive minds in football, and even though his two years as an NFL coach didn’t yield great results, he has experience running a football team.
Why He Doesn’t: As just pointed out, Joseph’s two-year run as a head coach went rather poorly, so you might be getting Wade Phillips 2.0 by hiring Joseph. With so much investment on the offensive side of the ball, the Cowboys would likely prefer an offensive-minded head coach.
(3) Kellen Moore, Philadelphia Eagles Offensive Coordinator
Why He Makes Sense: Cowboys brass still thinks very highly of Moore as a football mind, and he’s rebuilt his image as one of the game’s best coordinators in Philadelphia. He’s spent plenty of time in Dallas as a player and coach, so there wouldn’t be much about organizational structure that would surprise him.
Why He Doesn’t: The Cowboys prefer coaches with previous head coaching experience, and Moore obviously doesn’t have that. Things between Moore and the Cowboys ended poorly in January 2023, so Dallas would have to do some relationship repair for this to be an option.
(4) Matt Nagy, Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Coordinator
Why He Makes Sense: Many feel like Nagy didn’t get a fair shake in Chicago. In four seasons with the Bears, Nagy finished below .500 just one time and made the playoffs twice. He’s the only one of four coaches since Lovie Smith to lead the Bears to a winning record. Nagy has spent the vast majority of his career learning under offensive legend Andy Reid.
Why He Doesn’t: There were times where the Chicago job felt a little bit big for Nagy, and that will be an even bigger concern here in Dallas. As the heir apparent to Andy Reid in Kansas City, what would drive Nagy to take a career risk on the Cowboys?
(5) Doug Pederson, Former Jaguars and Eagles Head Coach
Why He Makes Sense: Pederson is a quarterback-centric coach who has won a Super Bowl title, and was fired after his first losing season in Jacksonville. Andy Reid, John Harbaugh, Kyle Shanahan, and Sean McVay are the only active coaches with more playoff victories and an above .500 postseason record. Pederson’s lone Super Bowl win came in a season where his team was decimated by injuries and missing its starting quarterback, something the Cowboys were familiar with in 2024.
Why He Doesn’t: The Jaguars collapsed at the end of 2023 and things spiraled out of control quickly in 2024. Pederson seemed rattled and unable to stop the bleeding when things got out of control in his last two stops, leading to hasty dismissals.
(6) Frank Reich, Former Panthers and Colts Head Coach
Why He Makes Sense: Similar to Nagy and Pederson, there is a case to be made that this quarterback-friendly coach was quickly scapegoated in Indy after a track record of success, and then set up to fail in his one-and-done season cleaning up Matt Rhule’s mess in Carolina. Reich is thought of as someone who can develop young players and coaches for future success, and has experience navigating hands-on owners like David Tepper and Jim Irsay.
Why He Doesn’t: It was a bad situation in Carolina, but Reich’s tenure there was flat out disastrous, and seemingly almost broke Bryce Young. Many would view that as far too grave a mistake to risk again with heavy investments on offense.
(7) Robert Saleh, Former NY Jets Head Coach
Why He Makes Sense: Saleh helped build the San Francisco 49ers into one of the game’s most physical, and schematically-advanced defenses in football, before taking the Jets job and helping them develop a similar reputation. He is thought of as a culture-builder who players will fight for, and has dealt with the most difficult owner situation in football with Woody Johnson.
Why He Doesn’t: Saleh is a defensive coach, which runs counter to what the Cowboys have looked for recently. And even though there was a lot of turmoil that Saleh was not responsible for with the Jets, it’s tough to look past some of the distractions and sideshows that public opinion felt he often mishandled.
(8) Mike Vrabel, Former Titans Head Coach
Why He Makes Sense: Vrabel is considered by many to be the defensive version of Dan Campbell, a former player who knows how to build a culture of winning, and develop autonomous assistant coaches who will get the most out of players.
Why He Doesn’t: Things took a pretty steep and rapid nosedive in Tennessee for Vrabel, and there is a thought around the league that Vrabel will insist on Brian Hartline as his offensive coordinator, who has no experience calling plays.
(9) Jason Witten, Former Dallas Cowboys Tight End
Why He Makes Sense: Witten has one serious advantage over every other potential candidate on this list: No one has spent more time around the Dallas Cowboys and understands what it takes to operate within the bounds of being “America’s Team” on a day-to-day basis than Witten. Nothing would come as a surprise to Witten in this job. The Cowboys would be making this hire in hopes of finding the next Dan Campbell, who would build a strong culture that could weather outside noise.
Why He Doesn’t: It’s quite simple: Absolutely no experience coaching at the NFL level.
(10) Mike Zimmer, Dallas Cowboys Defensive Coordinator
Why He Makes Sense: Jerry Jones couldn’t be more effusive in his praise of Zimmer over the last month of the season, pointing to steady improvement of the defense over the course of 17 games, even in the face of mounting injuries. He has won here in Dallas as an assistant coach, and has a long track record of overseeing competitive teams in Minnesota.
Why He Doesn’t: There is a question about whether or not Zimmer’s return to coaching was merely a confirmation to himself that it’s time to move on. 2024 was a very taxing year, and while the defense performed better down the stretch, the overall product isn’t too terribly impressive when statistically measured against the rest of the NFL.
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Even Vrabel I am not certain about, although everyone has a boner for him.
What Vance Joseph is doing on this list I have no idea.
Chocolate Lab
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Rooney Rule is the only answer.
Well, there's one more answer: Bobby Belt isn't particularly smart.
ravidubey
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Can you imagine how awesome it would be instead to find the next Mike Tomlin?
I wonder how Tomlin would have fared managing the Joneses and their circus bullshit?
Simpleton
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My first post in the thread has a list of guys significantly better than the majority of this dullard's list, my concern is that he's getting wind of some names due to proximity to the organization, and most of these retreads would fit Jerry's MO.
bbgun
every dur is a stab in the heart
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Yep. His dream candidate is an older guy, preferably with a title, who is desperate for another job and therefore willing to put up with his bullshit.
Chocolate Lab
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Question on Gruden -- there was a time I would have loved him here, especially during Red's Reign of Error. But does he not come off as kind of unhinged on his Youtube channel? I mean, the info is pretty good, but his acting like Chucky or whatever he's going for is pretty off-putting for me. Plus the whole n-word in the emails thing. Is he even realistic, or is he just a name lazy writers are coming up with?
Simpleton
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It's probably at least 90% an act but the guy has barely coached in the NFL for like 15 years, it'd be a joke.
NoDak
Hotlinking' sonofabitch
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The main problem with Gruden and his email troubles is that he got caught. I’d be willing to bet every coach and front office guy out there has said something racist before. (And players, too). And I’d bet the vast majority of them aren’t actually racist.
Now, I’m not excusing him for it. It was stupid and wrong. But I also think it’s being overblown for the optics of it.
Now, I’m not excusing him for it. It was stupid and wrong. But I also think it’s being overblown for the optics of it.
Sheik
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If this were a normal organization a head coach wouldn’t have to adopt any assistants left over hat because they’re under contract.
How many times have we seen that? Zimmer could be the beneficiary of that a second time after BP was convinced to keep him on.
This whole organization is ran like a grocery list in the great depression era.
How many times have we seen that? Zimmer could be the beneficiary of that a second time after BP was convinced to keep him on.
This whole organization is ran like a grocery list in the great depression era.
Cujo
“I've eaten a lot of raccoons."
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A very uninspiring list with the exception of Vrabel.
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I think pretty much the entire staff is on an expiring contract.
It does not look like there will be much inheriting going on if the head coach changes.
Chocolate Lab
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Jerry is asshoe
NoDak
Hotlinking' sonofabitch
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Major dick move. Didn't he already say that Mike could talk to whoever he wanted?
