The stars shine bright in Dallas.
More often than not, it’s also how the Dallas Cowboys conduct business — the franchise searches far and wide for the biggest names in the NFL. America’s Team would have it no other way … especially in a coaching search.
After their parting of ways with Mike McCarthy, it comes as no surprise that everyone is trying to keep up with what Jerry Jones’ team will do. There’s the potential big splash (see: Colorado head coach Deion Sanders). There’s the homegrown talent, like Kellen Moore. There’s the outside-the-box pick, like Jason Witten. There’s the more conventional route, like Robert Saleh and Leslie Frazier.
The list will almost certainly grow over time as the team looks to steal headlines and, eventually, win games with their next hire. Anything goes deep in the heart of Texas, which makes for an exciting coaching search to follow.
Here’s the latest on the Cowboys’ search for a new head coach.
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Cowboys head coach search rumors, news, updates
This section will be updated as interviews occur and relevant news about potential candidates becomes available.
Kellen Moore a top candidate for Cowboys’ HC
Date: Jan. 16
Report: Ian Rapoport, NFL Network
On Thursday, the Cowboys officially requested to interview Moore, the current Eagles’ offensive coordinator. He formerly held the same title in Dallas before the sides mutually agreed to part ways following the 2022 season. In the four seasons that Moore coached the offense, it finished in the top-10 three times.
Moore, undrafted out of Boise State, played for the Cowboys from 2015 to 2017 before transitioning into the team’s quarterbacks coach in 2018. He was then given the OC responsibilities from 2019 to 2022 and was a holdover from Jason Garrett’s staff to McCarthy’s.
Rapoport said Moore is considered a ‘top candidate’ for the job and that his familiarity with the organization makes this potential partnership one to keep an eye on.
Deion Sanders would ‘almost certainly’ accept Cowboys’ job if offered
Date: Jan. 16
Report:Ed Werder, Dallas’ WFAA-TV
Sanders was initially believed to be a long shot, but the noise is getting too loud to ignore. Jones is reportedly enamored with the idea, according to Werder, meaning the rumors will continue to swirl until the search is over. NFL Network’s Jane Slater reported Thursday that Sanders approached Colorado’s athletic director, Rick George, on Tuesday about additional money for NIL and his staff, but was met with resistance. Sanders, who played for the Cowboys, previously said he had no interest in coaching in the NFL. That seems to have changed in recent weeks.
Robert Saleh to interview this week
Date: Jan. 15
Report:Todd Archer, ESPN
Saleh, the former Jets coach, is set to interview for the Cowboys’ job this week. The former 49ers’ defensive coordinator seems likely to land a job for 2025, whether that is as a coordinator or head coach.
Cowboys request interview with Seahawks’ Leslie Frazier
Date: Jan. 15
Report:Todd Archer, ESPN
Frazier is also slated to interview for the Dallas gig. He comes with plenty of experience, serving previously as the head coach in Minnesota and more recently as the Buffalo defensive coordinator before spending last season in Seattle.
Jason Witten was seen as potential heir apparent to Mike McCarthy
Date: Jan. 14
Report:Jane Slater, NFL Network
Witten was reportedly floated as a potential heir apparent in negotiations with McCarthy, who opted to pursue other opportunities, according to Slater. Jones thinks very highly of Witten, but it’s unclear whether he will be a head coaching candidate. The former Cowboys’ tight end doesn’t have any NFL or college coaching experience, but has been the head coach at Liberty Christian in Argyle, Texas, since 2021.
Cowboys coaching candidates
Here is a look at who the Cowboys have interest in or requested to interview thus far:
Deion Sanders, Colorado head coach
Robert Saleh, ex-Jets coach
Leslie Frazier, Seahawks assistant head coach
Kellen Moore, Eagles offensive coordinator