Dallas Cowboys Coaching Shake-Up: Potential Replacements For Mike McCarthy

The Dallas Cowboys and Mike McCarthy parted ways after five years leaving another void in the highly coveted spot in the NFL. But who will be the next head coach?

After a promising three-year run that saw the team win 12 games each year, McCarthy's Cowboys underperformed in 2024 and finished with a 7-10 record, their worst since finishing 6-10 in 2020 (the NFL added a 17th game after the 2020 season).

The Next Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Will Be...

Now that the head coaching job is yet again up for grabs under the "Jerry Empire", several names have been thrown around to fill the spot. Let's dive in.

MORE: 15 Things That Didn't Exist The Last Time Dallas Cowboys Won Super Bowl

Bill Belichick

Belichick's name was thrown around even before McCarthy's exit from the Cowboys. However, this seems unlikely as the future Hall of Fame coach signed a five-year contract with the North Carolina Tar Heels in the college ranks.

According to the Bleacher Report, Jerry Jones has mentioned that Bill does have a $10 million buyout from North Carolina. Jones certainly has the money to pull the trigger on a move like this. But even if Belichick made the jump, would Jerry let Bill run the team? Jerry's ego says "no".

Deion Sanders

"Coach Prime", who is arguably the best cornerback in NFL history, is making a name for himself in the coaching ranks. After a successful run as the head coach of the Jackson State Tigers, he currently leads the Colorado Buffalos team.

The former Cowboys cornerback still has a great relationship with Jerry who loves hiring those that have a connection to the team. Hence our next candidate.

Jason Witten

Witten may very well have been the final straw for Mike McCarthy. According to CBS Sports, McCarthy walked away after Jones unveiled a plan to bring in Jason Witten to be the heir apparent to coach the Cowboys.

Witten is another former Dallas Cowboys player who has moved on to coaching. He was named the TAPPS coach of the year in the high school ranks in 2022 before moving on to coach Liberty Christian School where the team has won two straight state championships.

Kellen Moore

The former player and Offensive Coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys is the current OC for the NFC East champion Philadelphia Eagles. According to ESPN analyst Adam Schefter, Moore's name has been thrown around recently.

Pete Carroll

Pete Carroll won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks and a National Championship with the USC Trojans so his resume speaks for itself.

While he has proven to be a great coach in college or the pros, it would be a matter of whether he could work with Jerry or not. That seems to be the common denominator with any potential coach.

Jerry Jones

Let's face it. Does it matter who actually is picked as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys? Not really. With the talent that the Dallas Cowboys have had on the roster over the past few decades and some good-quality coaches who have won with other teams, Jerry seems to call all of the shots when it comes to coaching.

I don't think Jerry's marketing ability and prowess for good talent should ever be questioned. I think if he allows the head coach to call the shots when it comes to putting the pieces of the team together, that will benefit the Cowboys and propel them out of this three-decade stint of mediocrity.

We shall see. Who do you think should be the next head coach for the Dallas Cowboys?