Dallas Cowboys head coaching search tracker: Interviews, candidates, predictions, rumors, from Deion Sanders to Kellen Moore
NFL teams shopping for their next head coach are almost done with their process as finalists begin to emerge. The Chicago Bears are said to be between Mike McCarthy and Ben Johnson. The Las Vegas Raiders have been rumored to be the favorites to land Johnson. The New England Patriots already got their guy in […]
NFL teams shopping for their next head coach are almost done with their process as finalists begin to emerge. The Chicago Bears are said to be between Mike McCarthy and Ben Johnson. The Las Vegas Raiders have been rumored to be the favorites to land Johnson. The New England Patriots already got their guy in Mike Vrabel.
But it seems like the Dallas Cowboys, almost a full week into their search, are just now putting their board together and looking at candidates. They're conducting their first known interview on Friday when they talk to Kellen Moore. Robert Saleh will follow on Saturday.
But they're expected to take it slow. Here's everything we know about their search so far, from interviews, candidates, and rumors. And my prediction for who winds up as Cowboys head coach in 2025.
This post will be updated as more reports emerge.
Deion Sanders: No interview yet but…
Sanders hasn't been interviewed by the Cowboys but there are several things to keep in mind. He and Jerry have talked. There's mutual interest though and as Jean-Jacques Taylor pointed out on X, Jerry could always fly to Sanders' place and no one would know.
The Sanders-Cowboys reunion is looking like a possibility, and there appears to be no question Jones can sell it to the rising college coach. The question is, can he sell it to the rest of the organization he owns?
Candidates to be interviewed
Below are the names that have been reported to have interviews. Note Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn haven't been formally requested but Dallas Morning News reported they're expected to be interviewed.
- Robert Saleh (Saturday)
- Kellen Moore (Friday)
- Leslie Frazier (Monday)
- Ben Johnson (Not scheduled)
- Aaron Glenn (Not scheduled)
Other rumors
- Mike Zimmer would take the HC job if it's offered, per Bryan Broaddus from 105.3 Th Fan.
- Jason Witten was considered as part of a "succession" plan when the Cowboys intended to bring back McCarthy, per Jane Slater from NFL Network. Witten could still be in the mix as a coaching hire, though it seems unlikely it'd be as head coach.
My prediction for Cowboys head coach: Kellen Moore
My money is on Moore to become the next Cowboys head coach. I went into why in an earlier article when news broke about Dallas requesting an interview with the Eagles offensive coordinator:
There are two requirements the Cowboys have valued in the past and one of them is familiarity. Moore and Dallas have that. Like Jason Garrett before him, he's an offensive coordinator they truly respect.
So much so that when McCarthy was hired to be head coach in 2020, the Cowboys let him know if he took the job, Moore would stay on board as offensive coordinator. That's a big condition to ask for a Super Bowl winning play-caller.
As for that second requirement, Moore doesn't meet it; previous head coaching experience. However, league circles still consider the Eagles OC a rising coach and one that will receive a head coaching opportunity at some point.
