Brett's Cowboys Corner

As the Cowboys begin the search for a head coach, plenty of names have already been circulating the media. Some names are more wild than others. Will the Cowboys make a splash and hire a big name for their 10th head coach, or will they keep it business as usual?

It is important to remember, since the Cowboys waited an extra week before making a decision on McCarthy, they won’t have access to interview any coach that is in the playoffs until late January – early February…so buckle in for a long ride.

For the Jones Family, I think the Cowboys coach for 2025 will check at least two of these four boxes:

• Former Cowboys Player/Coach
• NFL Head Coaching Experience
• Superbowl Winner
• A Close Relation To The Jones Family

Here is a few names, some crazy, some on brand, and a few of my choices:

Realistic Cowboy Choices –

Kellen Moore, Eagles, OC

This makes a lot of sense for the Cowboys to do. Like it or not, he will at least interview.

Moore was destined for the Cowboys coaching job, as the front office prepared him for this position from backup QB to immediately becoming the quarterback coach then offensive coordinator.

A big sign, when McCarthy was first hired, the front office made Mike keep Kellen as his OC, generally the head coach picks his coordinators.

Sure Dallas let him spread his wings and fly, Moore went to the Chargers and now an Eagle…but maybe that was just a secret mission, all to come back to Dallas and be the head coach.

Robert Saleh, Former HC

The first reported interview for the Cowboys coaching job. Saleh, the former New York Jets HC now Consultant for the Packers, will interview for the job Saturday. McCarthy was the 2nd person interviewed in the process back in 2020, but his interview also fell on a Saturday.

I think Saleh would be a good choice for Dallas, he managed to keep a top-4 defense in the NFL during his entire time with New York. Saleh, of course a defensive mind, he would come in a focus on strengthening the interior defensive line, something that’s important to him

The red flag on Saleh, the lack of success. He finished his time with New York, 20-36 with no playoff appearances.

I would like the hire assuming its paired with a creative offensive coordinator.

Pete Carroll, Seahawks, Former HC

This name surprised me to hear. The 73 year old coach now serves as a consultant to the Seahawks, a team where he built an iconic culture from Beast Mode to The Legion of Boom. Honestly I would be surprised if Carroll came back to coaching, but everyone has a price.

Carroll being a strong candidate on Jerry’s list, doesn’t surprise me when you really think about it. A proven winner, champion, and the front office has picked coaches with ties to that Seattle tree before, like Dan Quinn and Kris Richard.

In the eyes of Jerry Jones, this is what he believes is the ultimate wild card hire, the guy no one expects.

Kliff Kingsbury, Commanders, OC

This is another known commodity with Texas ties. Kingsbury is supposed to fill that creative offensive guy mold and deserves at least a phone call.

I think this is the least likely of this group, but one strong point for Kingsbury is the idea that you are stealing him from a division rival and a former coach in Dan Quinn.

I wouldn’t like this hire, he failed in Arizona and maybe just pulled a lucky straw with Jayden Daniels. Both of the matchups of Commands vs. Cowboys, Kingsbury’s offense looked like it struggled. In the first game, their offense had some poor decisions near the end that ultimately cost them a win.

My Choices –

Aaron Glenn, Lions, DC

I think this job will attract a defensive coach, because the offense is set, and there isn’t much molding or developing to be done. You just need to pair a defensive head coach with a offensive coordinator that can create a Dak friendly offense.

Glenn has been my standout choice, everyone wants the Lion’s coaching staff, but Glenn being a former Cowboy makes this move realistic.

He has done a great job developing talent for Detroit and in New Orleans before that.

Ben Johnson, Lions, OC

This is the hottest name on the market. Everyone wants Ben Johnson, including me. I think Ben is a creative mind that can elevate the Dallas Cowboys. That is if he wants the job, Johnson will likely get to take his pick on what head coaching job he wants to have.

I look at a guy like Jared Goff, who isn’t a uber athletic, superstar QB. His offensive scheme has made Goff a star player, now playing as the #1 seed in the NFC.

Unfortunately, I don’t see the Cowboys taking a chance on a new guy like this. He doesn’t check any of the boxes of what the Cowboys will be looking for in a head coach. I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t even interview him.

Bobby Slowik, Texans, OC

This is another young creative mind that would be awesome to take a chance on, but the Cowboys probably won’t interview.

Slowik was the hot name last year, but opted to stay with C.J. Stroud, and in a down year, it may be in his best interest to stay another year. Slowik comes from the Shanahan tree, the offense that is the kryptonite of the Cowboys.

Joe Brady, Bills, OC

Plucking offensive coordinators from other teams is the idea. You want to find the next revolutionary mind. Brady has worked a few years developing Josh Allen, though this is his first season as Bills OC.

This would be a neat guy just to send an interview request to, and see if he is interested in becoming a head coach in the NFL.

Crazy Longshots…But it is Dallas –

Jason Witten, Liberty Christian (HS), HC

This has been a fun one floating around. I don’t think it is a real possibility…not yet at least.

Going from High School coaching straight to the NFL is unheard of, but Witten built a strong reputation for himself as a Dallas Cowboy. Many members of the media would argue that Witten was a coach by his 3rd year in the league.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Witten soon finds himself as a TE coach in Dallas first. But Witten currently is coaching a championship winning High School team with Liberty Christian, a team that includes his son whose still a Sophomore.

Deion Sanders, Colorado, HC

There are a lot of people that believe Coach Prime can come in and change this organization. He could be a vocal no-nonsense coach, that challenges the front office.

Or he could bring a ton of lights and cameras and add even more distractions to the organization.

I wrote a bunch more on what the Cowboys want in a head coach and why Jerry doesn’t even want Deion. You can check that out below. V

Carrying The Weight Of The Star | Cowboys Head Coaching Search

Jon Gruden, Former HC

I have this one buried because of how out I am on it…but its still something floating out there.

Gruden is a close friend of the Jones family and is a former Superbowl winning HC (that’s three of the four boxes)

People think he would be able to fix the culture of the Cowboys, but I think he would add more fuel to the fire in completely different ways than Deion.

If Gruden is the next head coach, make sure we get some good coordinators…we are not winning the Superbowl playing 2003 football with a power run scheme.

Don’t let him in the draft room or you will draft a fullback in the first round. And keep him away from all computers as well.