Could Cowboys have a legit shot at landing Longhorns' Steve Sarkisian after moving on from Mike McCarthy? Texas expert chimes in
Following the Dallas Cowboys' decision to move on from Mike McCarthy as head coach, multiple media members have brought up Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian as a potential candidate for America's Team. Sarkisian's name has reportedly come up among league circles and there's a Texas-sized connection you can draw between the Cowboys and the Longhorns. […]
Following the Dallas Cowboys' decision to move on from Mike McCarthy as head coach, multiple media members have brought up Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian as a potential candidate for America's Team.
Sarkisian's name has reportedly come up among league circles and there's a Texas-sized connection you can draw between the Cowboys and the Longhorns. It could make sense and it would be an easy pitch for the fan base.
"(Sarkisian) is a name that's been out there for a little while that there will be NFL teams that will have some interest," Adam Schefter said on The Pat McAfee show earlier in the week.
Sarkisian has the credentials. Just a few days ago, he was coaching the Longhorns in the College Football Playoff semifinals with Jerry Jones watching from his suite, no less. He's been a successful play caller for a good while now and he's even got the NFL experience after coaching the Atlanta Falcons' offense in 2017.
However, there are some complications to take into consideration, the biggest of which would be, does Sarkisian even want to return to the league? And if he does, would he want it to be with the Cowboys?
To get some perspective on Sarkisian's point of view, I reached out to A to Z Sports' Longhorns staff writer Brian Davis with a few questions.
Some media members have speculated on the Cowboys potentially being interested in Steve Sarkisian. From 1-10, do you see that as a viable scenario for Sarkisian?
Davis: It’s a 2 — one because it’s the NFL and one because it’s the Cowboys. That’s not to say the Cowboys job isn’t a glamorous position; it most certainly is. Anything remotely associated with the Cowboys is a big deal. But from Sarkisian’s point of view, a move the NFL doesn’t seem likely. He’d be walking away from Arch Manning, who could be one of the best quarterbacks in college football next season. And Sarkisian would have to give up a lot of control. Heck, as someone making around $10.4 million, he might even have to take a pay cut.
We know Jerry Jones likes to run the show in Dallas, which always rules out head coaching candidates who like having a lot of power. Would his approach work or clash with Sarkisian?
Davis: That’s hard to gauge, mostly because anyone who takes the job has to know that going in. Every coach who has spent any time around the NFL knows how things work. Jones calls the shots — always has, always will. Anyone who thinks otherwise is fooling themselves. Sarkisian has enjoyed building a college roster. Now, do NIL negotiations give him a massive headache at times? Probably. Still, he’s got enough staff around to help pawn off those duties.
Hypothetically, if it were to happen, what would the Cowboys get on Sarkisian if they targeted him and do you think he’s got what it takes for the NFL level?
Davis: If the Cowboys landed Sarkisian, the team would instantly have one of the brightest offensive minds in the game. He’d be a perfect foil for Washington’s play-caller Kliff Kingsbury. Sarkisian may not be too hip to build an offense around Dak Prescott. It’s possible Sarkisian would want someone younger, if he’s going to stay in Dallas long term. While it might look like a good fit, it just doesn’t seem like the perfect one. Then again, maybe nobody is a perfect fit for Jerry.
My biggest takeaway from Davis' insight is that Sarkisian to Dallas appears to be a longshot. They'd need to pay top dollar to land his services while convincing him of moving on from the Arch Manning era in Texas before even starting it. I just don't see that happening at all.
