Deion Sanders and Jason Witten, two notable former players for the Dallas Cowboys, have emerged as potential candidates to take over as the team’s head coach following the departure of Mike McCarthy. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and McCarthy mutually agreed to separate after a five-year tenure that culminated in a disappointing 7-10 record this past season. McCarthy, who was in the final year of his contract, previously led the team to three consecutive playoff appearances with records of 12-5, but the Cowboys have struggled in the postseason, winning only one out of three playoff games during that span.
On Tuesday, the Cowboys did not provide any updates regarding their search for a new head coach, a day after Jones confirmed that the search would commence after deciding to part ways with McCarthy. In 1995, Jones made headlines by signing Sanders, who had just helped the San Francisco 49ers defeat the Cowboys in the NFC Championship Game. That same season, with Sanders on board, the Cowboys secured their third Super Bowl title within a four-year period, marking an era of success for the franchise.
Sanders has recently completed his second year as the head coach at the University of Colorado and discussed the Dallas opening with Jones after McCarthy’s departure. In contrast, Witten, recognized as the greatest tight end in Cowboys history, holds multiple franchise records, including those for games played, starts, and receptions. After showing interest in joining the Cowboys coaching staff when McCarthy was hired in 2020, Witten chose instead to coach a private school team in Dallas, which recently celebrated a state championship victory.
Should Witten be considered for the head coaching role, he may emulate the path of Lions coach Dan Campbell, another former Cowboys tight end who led Detroit to the top seed in the NFC playoffs this year, following a strong performance the previous season. However, Witten’s lack of professional coaching experience, having only coached at the high school level, might pose challenges similar to those faced by Campbell, who had an extensive coaching background prior to his hiring.
Another name being considered is Kellen Moore, the Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive coordinator who shares a strong relationship with Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Prescott, who recently signed a remarkable four-year extension worth $240 million, received substantial support from Moore during his playing days, with Moore serving as his backup and subsequently as his quarterbacks coach before ascending to the role of offensive coordinator. Although the Cowboys consistently ranked among the top offenses while Moore was at the helm, they struggled to make significant playoff advances.
The Cowboys and Moore parted ways after the 2022 season, allowing him to spend a year with the Los Angeles Chargers before joining the Eagles. Under Moore’s leadership, the Eagles clinched the NFC East title and advanced to the playoffs, showcasing his capability as a play-caller. Conversely, Aaron Glenn, the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, may also be a contender for the head coach position. Glenn, who spent time as a player in Dallas, appears to be another viable option, though formal interviews would only take place after their current respective seasons conclude.
Jones is tasked with selecting his ninth head coach; the initial four coaches under his ownership were first-time head coaches, starting with Jimmy Johnson, who notably secured back-to-back Super Bowl victories. After a contentious split from Johnson, three of Jones’ last four hires had prior NFL head coaching experience, including McCarthy and Super Bowl champions Bill Parcells and McCarthy. The exception to this trend was Jason Garrett, a former quarterback for the Cowboys, who holds the record as the longest-serving coach under Jones with a tenure extending over nine seasons.
