20 candidates for Cowboys' head coach seat in 2025

[big dog cowboy]

Without further adieu, here are 20 names the Cowboys will likely be interested in — to varying degrees — as they get to the task of trying to make sure their next move is their best move.

In-house Talent
Mike Zimmer, defensive coordinator
Al Harris, assistant head coach and defensive backs coach
Brian Schottenheimer, offensive coordinator
John "Bones" Fassel, special teams coordinator
Frontrunner: Mike Zimmer

OK, I cheated, because these four aren't counted toward my tally of 20.

The NFLers
Sean McVay, head coach - Rams
Pete Carroll, free agent
Ron Rivera, free agent
Jon Gruden, free agent
Frontrunner: Pete Carroll

The Coordination Station
Kellen Moore, OC - Eagles
Ben Johnson, OC - Lions
Todd Monken, OC - Ravens
Liam Coen, OC - Buccaneers
Joe Brady, OC - Bills
Kliff Kingsbury, OC - Commanders
Bobby Slowik, OC - Texans
Aaron Glenn, DC - Lions
Brian Flores, DC - Vikings
Frontrunner: Kellen Moore

The College Guys
Bill Belichick, HC - Tarheels
Deion Sanders, HC - Colorado
Marcus Freeman, HC - Fighting Irish
Jason Witten, HC - Liberty Christian (HS)
Steve Sarkisian, HC - Longhorns
Lincoln Riley, HC - Trojans
Lane Kiffin, OC - Rebels (Ole Miss)
Frontrunner: None (see below)

 

[cowboys5xsbs]

Sean McVay???? I wish that would happen

 

[lukemartin79]

Sean McVay???? I wish that would happen

LOL, was thinking the same thing. Thats some wishful thinking. I want some of what he is smoking, lol - that aint happening.

 

[Tabascocat]

Scratch off 17 of those. It will come down to Zimmer, Kellen and Gruden. Give me Gruden out of those three.

 

[noshame]

ABD
anybody but Deion

 

[J817]

Sean McVay???? I wish that would happen

Nope, not ready for a Cowboys coach younger me. I’m not at that stage yet.

Also weren’t there retirement concern with him at one point?

 

[Wilson]

There's good reason for all clamoring for Ben Johnson.

 

[Fmart322]

For some reason I keep thinking Jerry will hire Rex Ryan. I hope I'm wrong but it really wouldn't surprise me if it happened.

 

[Rayman70]

For some reason I keep thinking Jerry will hire Rex Ryan. I hope I'm wrong but it really wouldn't surprise me if it happened.

I can't rule this out. Rex has been a bit quiet on this. I feel Rex would at very least get in guys face and challenge the culture around here. Love or hate him, he would do that. Not sure if the end result would be a playoff run, but one thing is for sure, he would lay down the smack. I can say the same thing about Gruden too, and even Carrol.

 

[Rayman70]

Scratch off 17 of those. It will come down to Zimmer, Kellen and Gruden. Give me Gruden out of those three.

THIS 1000%

 

[Rayman70]

What if Jerry called LSU and asked to interview Brian Kelly? No one is mentioning him but that guy can lead men. Bryan Broaddus would eat this up. lol

 

[garyo1954]

At least 25 would pay to every team looking for a HC. Nice list, though

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Social media and talking shows are going to have a field day for this vacancy until it's filled.

 

[fairviewfarmer]

I can't rule this out. Rex has been a bit quiet on this. I feel Rex would at very least get in guys face and challenge the culture around here. Love or hate him, he would do that. Not sure if the end result would be a playoff run, but one thing is for sure, he would lay down the smack. I can say the same thing about Gruden too, and even Carrol.

Sure and he can bring in his brother Rob to run the defense again..... oh wait, he sucked at that already under clappy clown.

 

[Rayman70]

Sure and he can bring in his brother Rob to run the defense again..... oh wait, he sucked at that already under clappy clown.

yeah Rob was awful

 

[Rayman70]

Social media and talking shows are going to have a field day for this vacancy until it's filled.

get ready for Ron Milk toast Rivera.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Social media and talking shows are going to have a field day for this vacancy until it's filled.

That's why Jerry will milk this for a couple of weeks.

 

[Sydla]

Without further adieu, here are 20 names the Cowboys will likely be interested in — to varying degrees — as they get to the task of trying to make sure their next move is their best move.

In-house Talent
Mike Zimmer, defensive coordinator
Al Harris, assistant head coach and defensive backs coach
Brian Schottenheimer, offensive coordinator
John "Bones" Fassel, special teams coordinator
Frontrunner: Mike Zimmer

OK, I cheated, because these four aren't counted toward my tally of 20.

The NFLers
Sean McVay, head coach - Rams
Pete Carroll, free agent
Ron Rivera, free agent
Jon Gruden, free agent
Frontrunner: Pete Carroll

The Coordination Station
Kellen Moore, OC - Eagles
Ben Johnson, OC - Lions
Todd Monken, OC - Ravens
Liam Coen, OC - Buccaneers
Joe Brady, OC - Bills
Kliff Kingsbury, OC - Commanders
Bobby Slowik, OC - Texans
Aaron Glenn, DC - Lions
Brian Flores, DC - Vikings
Frontrunner: Kellen Moore

The College Guys
Bill Belichick, HC - Tarheels
Deion Sanders, HC - Colorado
Marcus Freeman, HC - Fighting Irish
Jason Witten, HC - Liberty Christian (HS)
Steve Sarkisian, HC - Longhorns
Lincoln Riley, HC - Trojans
Lane Kiffin, OC - Rebels (Ole Miss)
Frontrunner: None (see below)

Again, these lists are pretty silly because you can immediately discount names right off the bat. Sark and Freeman are non-starters, for example. They both signed big extensions and have massive buyouts. Jerry ain't pay that.

I mean he just saw his HC leave over a couple of years on a contract but you think he's going to want to pay tens of millions of dollars in buyouts BEFORE he even then has to pay Sark or Freeman a big time salary? Stop wasting our time Patrik.