5 Coaches Who Could Take the Cowboys to the Next Level

[big dog cowboy]

What do you think about this list. I agree a defensive minded coach would be a pleasant change and the direction we should go.

5 Coaches Who Could Take the Cowboys to the Next Level
October 11, 2026
by Cody Warren

The way this season is going could put the Cowboys in the market for a new head coach and coaching staff. With a veteran quarterback and established offensive talent, Dallas should be able to find a good offensive coordinator.

That being said, I want the Cowboys’ next head coach to have a defensive background. This would put someone in charge who can address the team’s biggest weakness over the last few seasons, the defense.

I don’t want this to excuse the offensive inconsistency. I’m just tired of every coaching decision being what somebody can do for Dak Prescott.

1. Kirby Smart
2. Dan Lanning
3. Marcus Freeman
4. Bill Belichick
5. Nick Saban

These are coaches the Cowboys can’t assume are available. Smart and Lanning have long-term contracts, Freeman chose Notre Dame over NFL interest last December, Belichick is fine, for now, in North Carolina, and Saban loves retirement.

Much more: https://insidethestar.com/5-coaches-who-could-take-the-cowboys-to-the-next-level

 

[dupree89]

I do hope the next HC is a defensive guy, but I just don't know if Jerry would do it. We can hope. The first 3 on the list, honestly I don't know enough about to comment. But I like the premise for sure

 

[thunderpimp91]

Sleeper candidate….Dan Quinn

Not saying it should be, but he hits the Jerry requirements and could be fired this year.

 

[8FOR!3]

Keep in mind:
Brian Schottenheimer $4.5 mil per year 4 years
Kirby Smart: $13 mil per year 10 years

Most of these guys have little to no NFL experience (besides Bill and Saban ofc) and little to no incentive to leave their current job. There is zero good reason why Kirby/Lanning/Freeman would quit their current job on their own accords. Especially for the Cowboys job which everyone knows is a pain in the rear end. At those schools, they are kings of their castles. In Dallas, the Jones family is, period.

Belichick almost certainly plays out his days as a coach at UNC and I’m not even sure if he’d be able to come in and get across to these guys at his current age. He seems better suited for coaching college kids at this point. Saban probably has zero desire to coach again and nothing has led anyone to believe he has the NFL figured out if he even did. He has not had success at that level.

 

[Silverstar]

You'll take Jon Gruden HC/OC and Sean McDermott DC and like it!

 

[Ranching]

What do you think about this list. I agree a defensive minded coach would be a pleasant change and the direction we should go.

5 Coaches Who Could Take the Cowboys to the Next Level
October 11, 2026
by Cody Warren

The way this season is going could put the Cowboys in the market for a new head coach and coaching staff. With a veteran quarterback and established offensive talent, Dallas should be able to find a good offensive coordinator.

That being said, I want the Cowboys’ next head coach to have a defensive background. This would put someone in charge who can address the team’s biggest weakness over the last few seasons, the defense.

I don’t want this to excuse the offensive inconsistency. I’m just tired of every coaching decision being what somebody can do for Dak Prescott.

1. Kirby Smart
2. Dan Lanning
3. Marcus Freeman
4. Bill Belichick
5. Nick Saban

These are coaches the Cowboys can’t assume are available. Smart and Lanning have long-term contracts, Freeman chose Notre Dame over NFL interest last December, Belichick is fine, for now, in North Carolina, and Saban loves retirement.

Much more: https://insidethestar.com/5-coaches-who-could-take-the-cowboys-to-the-next-level

Saban would come today, if they'd ask him.

 

[maryquality]

Just whatever you do, please keep Steve Sarkisian away from the Cowboys!!

 

[maryquality]

Saban would come today, if they'd ask him.

I wouldn't mind Saban, but at 74 years of age, he should be enjoying the rest of his life. Coaching is stressful!! Not sure how healthy he is. But, I'm not his doctor, so there's that. LOL

 

[Chocolate Lab]

LOL. What a clown list.

 

[Vtwin]

You'll take Jon Gruden HC/OC and Sean McDermott DC and like it!

Call me crazy but I would love that.

 

[Havic]

You'll take Jon Gruden HC/OC and Sean McDermott DC and like it!

lol

McDermott is a good coach, I think the game has passed Gruden by with how he wants to run an offense

 

[Johannes44]

Jerry is going to go out and hire another retread like McCarthy. Doug Pedersen is available one last paycheck from the NFL is about all the Cowboys are worth.

 

[acr731]

What do you think about this list. I agree a defensive minded coach would be a pleasant change and the direction we should go.

5 Coaches Who Could Take the Cowboys to the Next Level
October 11, 2026
by Cody Warren

The way this season is going could put the Cowboys in the market for a new head coach and coaching staff. With a veteran quarterback and established offensive talent, Dallas should be able to find a good offensive coordinator.

That being said, I want the Cowboys’ next head coach to have a defensive background. This would put someone in charge who can address the team’s biggest weakness over the last few seasons, the defense.

I don’t want this to excuse the offensive inconsistency. I’m just tired of every coaching decision being what somebody can do for Dak Prescott.

1. Kirby Smart
2. Dan Lanning
3. Marcus Freeman
4. Bill Belichick
5. Nick Saban

These are coaches the Cowboys can’t assume are available. Smart and Lanning have long-term contracts, Freeman chose Notre Dame over NFL interest last December, Belichick is fine, for now, in North Carolina, and Saban loves retirement.

Much more: https://insidethestar.com/5-coaches-who-could-take-the-cowboys-to-the-next-level

I don't understand why people keep doing this. Jerry isn't going to bring in anyone who isn't willing to bow down and kiss his feet.

Ref the red bold: I don't think the coaching hires have been about Dak, they have been about 'what can you do for Emperor Jerry'.

 

[MonkeymanWoes]

Saban would come today, if they'd ask him.

If Saban came out of retirement it would be for the wrong reason. He's in wind down mode, he wants to enjoy family life and his time. I'm not a fan of bringing coaches out of retirement unless it's interim and they plan to come back. We need a firecracker with experience in winning, not just "a" super bowl" but a winning program or environment. I want a coach that breathes fire and takes over. Jerry sadly won't allow that...so.

 

[Avenging Hayseed]

No head coach who has ever won a Super bowl for one team has ever replicated the same for another team . No Ex Super Bowl winning coaches for me thank you. Besides,.......Im not out on Shotty yet,....still in his corner. Now CP? I want him gone asap. With all the time money and resources thrown at the defense there is no way on Earth our D should be anywhere close to THIS BAD. He's got to go.

 

[ArtClink]

Just whatever you do, please keep Steve Sarkisian away from the Cowboys!!

This!

 

[Johannes44]

Just whatever you do, please keep Steve Sarkisian away from the Cowboys!!

Is that guy not the most overrated coach in college football?

 

[Havic]

Just whatever you do, please keep Steve Sarkisian away from the Cowboys!!

He will break his sobriety coaching this team lmao

 

[Ranching]

If Saban came out of retirement it would be for the wrong reason. He's in wind down mode, he wants to enjoy family life and his time. I'm not a fan of bringing coaches out of retirement unless it's interim and they plan to come back. We need a firecracker with experience in winning, not just "a" super bowl" but a winning program or environment. I want a coach that breathes fire and takes over. Jerry sadly won't allow that...so.

So, who is that??? Enquiring minds want to know.

 

[baltcowboy]

Sleeper candidate….Dan Quinn

Not saying it should be, but he hits the Jerry requirements and could be fired this year.

Dan Quinn would be the favorite over the 5 guys in the opening post. The Joneses feel safe and comfortable with Quinn. Unfortunately that is what Cowboys management wants.