X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Stats & Leaders
Starts and Sit
Daily Fantasy
Who To Pickup
24x7 News and Alerts

11 Candidates to Replace Mike McCarthy as Cowboys Head Coach

Mike McCarthy - NFL News, NFL Head Coach, Dallas Cowboys

Yes, we're just over halfway through the 2024 NFL season, but let's face it, with the Dallas Cowboys limping into Week 11 sporting a 3-6 record, head coach Mike McCarthy is as good as gone next season.

Assuming McCarthy and Dallas continue to struggle for the remainder of the year -- and with Dak Prescott now officially out for the rest of the season, it doesn't feel like a big assumption -- who could Jerry Jones hire to be the next head coach of the Cowboys?

With Jones and the Dallas front office likely already compiling a list of potential 2025 hires, let's do the same. Here are the top candidates to replace Mike McCarthy as head coach of the Cowboys next season.

Featured Promo: Get any Props Premium Pass for 50% off using code WINNING. Win more with our two new Props Optimizer tools -- one for PrizePicks Props, and one for Sportsbook Betting Props. Find optimal prop bets and get our recommended picks daily! Go Premium, Win More!

 

Former Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick

Let's get perhaps the most obvious candidate out of the way first. After closing the loop on a historic 24-season run as the head coach of the New England Patriots that resulted in nine Super Bowl appearances, six Super Bowl titles, and 266 regular-season wins, Belichick flirted with the Atlanta Falcons this offseason but ultimately elected to stay off the sidelines in 2024.

He's a Bill Parcells disciple -- a coach who was once the head coach of the Cowboys -- and would add instant credibility to Dallas' Super Bowl aspirations. However, at 72 years old, Belichick's window of opportunity in Big D would be relatively short, but hey, Jerry Jones is 82, so it's all about the here and now.

 

Lions Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson

The 38-year-old offensive mastermind will likely be the hottest name in the NFL offseason's coaching arms race. Johnson has worked wonders with Jared Goff in Detroit while leading the long-suffering Lions to a massive turnaround that included an NFC Championship Game appearance last season and 2024's best NFC record as of this writing.

Johnson has made it clear that he doesn't plan to leave Detroit for just any head-coaching offer that comes his way. He'll command a huge contract and will need to feel as though the personnel and front office are the right fit. Can Dallas check those boxes?

 

Vikings Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores

A member of the Belichick coaching tree, things ended badly for Flores in his first shot as a head coach with the Dolphins, though many around the league quietly respect the job he did in a less-than-ideal situation in Miami.

However, Tua Tagovailoa's offseason revelations of the treatment he received from Flores during their time in South Beach have likely cooled his head-coaching prospects.

Even with those issues, Flores has unquestionably put on a coaching clinic with his Minnesota defense this year, using exotic and creative schemes to help the Vikings off to a surprisingly strong start, which should put him squarely on Jerry Jones' radar.

 

University of Georgia Head Coach Kirby Smart

Ok ... let's get nuts. We've seen Jones pillage the college coaching ranks with great success in the past. His first hire as owner of the Cowboys, Jimmy Johnson, had no NFL head-coaching experience when Jones plucked him out of the University of Miami. Dallas again dipped into the college ranks when hiring Johnson's replacement, Barry Switzer, who had been wildly successful at the University of Oklahoma.

Would Jones take another shot on college football's best coach ahead of 2025? Kirby Smart has never dipped his toe in the NFL waters but has accomplished everything he can at the college level while leading the Bulldogs to two national championships. If he's ever going to take a shot at the pro game, why not do it with the NFL's most famous franchise?

 

Former Titans Head Coach Mike Vrabel

One of the shockers of the past offseason was that Vrabel wasn't hired as a head coach. Vrabel is still young at just 49 years old, which means Jones would have the opportunity to land a long-term replacement for Mike McCarthy with the former Patriots star and Bill Belichick disciple.

Vrabel posted a 54-45 record in six seasons as head coach of the Titans and earned three playoff appearances during his time in Tennessee. That accomplishment looks even better when considering just how bad things have been in Nashville in their first post-Vrabel season. He's a defensive-minded candidate who is known for his tough ways and he'd need to bring a strong offensive coordinator with him to Dallas.

 

Bills Offensive Coordinator Joe Brady

Just 35 years old, Brady would inject youth and energy into a Cowboys organization that's grown stale during McCarthy's tenure. Despite his age, Brady has already worked with two of the best quarterbacks in football by serving as Joe Burrow's offensive coordinator at LSU and currently as Josh Allen's OC in Buffalo.

The move to hire Brady would be an investment in Dak Prescott's continued development, which isn't a bad strategy considering the massive contract extension Prescott signed to begin the 2024 season.

 

Commanders Offensive Coordinator Kliff Kingsbury

Kingsbury's tenure as the head man in Arizona ended badly after a four-year tenure that resulted in a 28-37-1 overall record with the Cardinals. His clashes with franchise quarterback Kyler Murray were also reportedly a reason for his departure from the desert.

However, Kingsbury's career has been rejuvenated this season, as the work he's done with rookie Jayden Daniels in his first season with the Commanders has been inarguably impressive. He also has deep Texas ties thanks to playing collegiately and serving as a head coach at Texas Tech, as well as stops as an assistant at Houston and Texas A&M.

 

Texans Offensive Coordinator Bobby Slowik

Already based in Texas, Slowik has done a tremendous job as the offensive coordinator for an upstart Houston organization. He comes from the Shanahan coaching tree, which is desirable for obvious reasons.

Another huge factor in Dallas' interest in Slowik would be his work with young quarterback C.J. Stroud, who has already blossomed into one of the NFL's best signal-callers in just two years. Slowik's offensive aptitude, as well as the work he could put in with Dak Prescott, make him an option that will likely be very high on Jerry Jones' radar.

 

University of Colorado Head Coach Deion Sanders

No arguments, this one sounds a little outlandish. However, we are talking about Jerry Jones and Deion Sanders here, so shocking moves are well within the realm of possibilities.

Prime Time's ties to the Cowboys are well known, as he helped the franchise win a Super Bowl title while playing in Dallas from 1995 to 2000, and the sentiment that he will be a serious candidate for the eventual Cowboys opening is gaining steam in the media.

Though a jump to the NFL head-coaching ranks seems like a huge jump, Sanders has skyrocketed through the collegiate level since beginning at HBCU Jackson State and leaping to Colorado. We also shouldn't ignore the Travis Hunter factor, as the potential Heisman Trophy winner is expected to be a high pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Could Jerry Jones have an interest in keeping this dynamic duo together and bringing both Sanders and Hunter from Boulder to Dallas?

 

Former Jets Head Coach Robert Saleh

It isn't often that a head coach who is fired midseason would even be in consideration for a high-profile position the following year. That said, we wouldn't rule out Robert Saleh as at least being in the interview mix when the Cowboys do axe Mike McCarthy.

Sure, the 20-36 record that Saleh amassed while with the Jets can be criticized, but as New York continues to implode following his firing, the job he did starts to look better in hindsight. Saleh's defenses excelled during his time in the Big Apple and the Jets were consistently competitive despite starting six different quarterbacks (none of them good) during his 56 games with the organization.

 

Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn

Welcome to the downside of having a great team, Detroit. As the Lions continue their ascension up the NFL ranks, their coordinators are sure to be hot commodities this offseason. In addition to OC Ben Johnson, Detroit DC Aaron Glenn has been pegged by many league insiders as a future NFL head coach.

Glenn interviewed for four head-coaching positions last offseason. He is loved and respected by anyone who plays for him, a fact that won't be lost on a Cowboys front office that wants to keep generational defensive talent Micah Parsons happy.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis

POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Stats & Leaders
Starts and Sit
Daily Fantasy
Who To Pickup
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Cam Whitmore16 mins ago

Considered Questionable For Wednesday
Ryan Rollins24 mins ago

Continues To Sit Wednesday
Kevon Looney32 mins ago

Expected To Return On Wednesday
Kyle Anderson42 mins ago

Questionable For Wednesday
Miles McBride52 mins ago

Remains On The Shelf Wednesday
Norman Powell1 hour ago

Will Not Play On Wednesday
Connor Bedard1 hour ago

Ends Drought With Two Assists
Sam Reinhart1 hour ago

Pushes Point Streak To 11 Games
Mark Scheifele2 hours ago

Celebrates Ninth Career Hat Trick
Evan Bouchard2 hours ago

Rocks Senators With Three-Point Period
Connor McDavid2 hours ago

Nets Two Goals During Three-Point Night
NHL2 hours ago

Nicholas Paul Exits Early With Injury Tuesday
Zach Hyman2 hours ago

Sits Out Third Period Versus Senators
9 hours ago

Guardians' Stephen Vogt Named AL Manager Of The Year
Milwaukee Brewers10 hours ago

Pat Murphy Named NL Manager Of The Year
Bradley Beal13 hours ago

Still Out On Wednesday Evening
Jusuf Nurkic13 hours ago

Questionable Versus The Knicks
Anthony Davis13 hours ago

Will Play Against The Jazz
Stephen Curry13 hours ago

Back On The Injury Report For Wednesday
Jalen Johnson13 hours ago

Questionable Versus Golden State
Ben Sheppard14 hours ago

Considered Questionable For Wednesday
Jalen Green14 hours ago

Uncertain For Wednesday’s Game
Myles Turner15 hours ago

Considered Questionable For Wednesday
Cam Thomas15 hours ago

Will Not Play Tuesday
Giannis Antetokounmpo15 hours ago

Listed As Probable For Wednesday
Marcus Smart15 hours ago

Ruled Out For Tuesday
Cam Thomas15 hours ago

Is Questionable For Tuesday
Anfernee Simons15 hours ago

In Danger Of Missing Another Game
Deandre Ayton15 hours ago

Considered Doubtful For Wednesday
Kyle Lowry15 hours ago

To Miss Next Three Games
Jonas Brodin16 hours ago

Returns To Action
Joel Eriksson Ek16 hours ago

Returns To Wild Lineup
16 hours ago

Nick Pivetta Declines Boston's Qualifying Offer
Robert Thomas16 hours ago

Back For Blues Tuesday
Jose Siri16 hours ago

Mets Acquire Jose Siri From The Rays
Alexander Romanov16 hours ago

Rejoins Islanders Lineup
Brayden Point16 hours ago

Ready To Return Versus Penguins
Conor Garland17 hours ago

A Game-Time Call Tuesday
J.T. Miller17 hours ago

Takes Indefinite Leave For Personal Reasons
Jake Ferguson17 hours ago

"Will Be Hard-Pressed" To Play In Week 12
Alex Ovechkin17 hours ago

Considered Week-To-Week
Cooper Rush17 hours ago

Will Start In Week 12
Brandin Cooks17 hours ago

Cowboys Hoping Brandin Cooks Returns This Week
19 hours ago

Phillies To Meet With Juan Soto
20 hours ago

Luis Severino Rejects Qualifying Offer From Mets
Aaron Rodgers20 hours ago

' Status With Jets In Doubt For 2025?
20 hours ago

Willy Adames Declines Brewers Qualifying Offer
20 hours ago

Teoscar Hernandez Declines Qualifying Offer From Dodgers
20 hours ago

Juan Soto Declines Yankees' Qualifying Offer
New York Jets22 hours ago

Jets Fire GM Joe Douglas
Travis Konecny1 day ago

Stretches Point Streak To Seven Games
Sam Montembeault1 day ago

Records 30-Save Shutout Versus Oilers
William Eklund1 day ago

Scores Twice In Overtime Victory
Brett Leason1 day ago

Tallies Three Points In Win Over Stars
Brock McGinn1 day ago

Exits Win With Injury
Alex Ovechkin1 day ago

Evaluated For Leg Injury
Luke Schoonmaker1 day ago

Commands 10 Targets Amidst Teammate's Injury
CeeDee Lamb1 day ago

Remains Productive Despite Loss
Houston Texans1 day ago

Texans D/ST Finds End Zone In Victory At Dallas
Joe Mixon1 day ago

Extends Hot Streak Against Cowboys
Luis Gil2 days ago

Wins AL Rookie Of The Year Award
Jake Ferguson2 days ago

Won't Return On Monday
Paul Skenes2 days ago

Named 2024 NL Rookie Of The Year
Brock Purdy2 days ago

Day-To-Day With Shoulder Soreness
George Kittle2 days ago

Expected To Practice On Wednesday
CeeDee Lamb2 days ago

Officially Active On Monday Night
Nico Collins2 days ago

Won't Face Playing-Time Restrictions On Monday Night
New York Giants2 days ago

Brian Daboll On The Hot Seat In New York?
Brady Singer2 days ago

Reds, Royals Discussing Jonathan India, Brady Singer
Gardner Minshew II2 days ago

Raiders Sticking With Gardner Minshew II At QB
2 days ago

Sean Manaea To Reject Mets' Qualifying Offer
Dak Prescott2 days ago

Heading To Injured Reserve
2 days ago

Braves Have Interest In Walker Buehler
Isiah Pacheco2 days ago

Andy Reid On Isiah Pacheco: "We'll See How He Does In Practice"
2 days ago

Astros Interested In Willy Adames
Gabe Davis2 days ago

Won't Return In 2024
Mike Evans2 days ago

Seen At Practice On Monday
CeeDee Lamb2 days ago

Tracking Towards Playing On Monday Night
Charles Oliveira2 days ago

Gets Back In The Win Column
Michael Chandler2 days ago

Gets Dominated At UFC 309
Karine Silva2 days ago

Suffers Her First UFC Loss
Viviane Araujo2 days ago

Gets Back In The Win Column
Mauricio Ruffy2 days ago

Extends His Win Streak To Six
Nick Martinez3 days ago

Signs Qualifying Offer With Reds
3 days ago

Luis Severino Likely To Decline Qualifying Offer From Mets
James Llontop3 days ago

Loses Clear-Cut Decision In Thrilling Fight At UFC 309
Paul Craig3 days ago

Loses Decision At UFC 309
Bo Nickal3 days ago

Remains Undefeated With Lackluster Performance At UFC 309
Stipe Miocic3 days ago

Retires After UFC 309 Loss
Jon Jones3 days ago

Gets TKO Win At UFC 309 To Defend Heavyweight Title
Grayson Rodriguez5 days ago

Orioles Optimistic Grayson Rodriguez Will Have A Full Spring Training
5 days ago

Red Sox Have Productive Meeting With Juan Soto
Michael Chandler5 days ago

Set For A Rematch At UFC 309
Charles Oliveira5 days ago

A Favorite At UFC 309
Viviane Araujo5 days ago

An Underdog At UFC 309
Karine Silva5 days ago

Looks To Extend Her Win Streak
Mauricio Ruffy5 days ago

Looks For His Second UFC Win
Jett Williams5 days ago

Suffers Sprained Ankle In AFL
James Llontop6 days ago

A Big Underdog At UFC 309
Paul Craig6 days ago

Looks To Snap Losing Skid At UFC 309
Bo Nickal6 days ago

Puts Undefeated Record On The Line At UFC 309
Stipe Miocic6 days ago

Ends Layoff At UFC 309
Jon Jones6 days ago

Defends Heavyweight Title At UFC 309
Tampa Bay Rays6 days ago

Rays To Play Home Games In 2025 At Steinbrenner Field

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

MORE RECENT ARTICLES

 

Video: Week 12 Must-Start Defense (D/ST) Streamers - 2024 Fantasy Football Start/Sit Analysis

We're back and dropping fire content for Week 12! Check out our top 2024 fantasy football must-start Defenses (D/ST) and be prepared to dominate your matchups! LaQuan Jones discusses his top "Must Start" Defense (D/ST) streamers that have the potential to be game-changers in Week 12, as well as some defenses that you might want […]


D'Andre Swift - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injuries

Fantasy Football Trade Targets - Buy/Sell For Week 12 Including Josh Downs, T.J. Hockenson, Bucky Irving, D'Andre Swift

For many fantasy football gamers, the end of Week 11 marked the last opportunity to make trades ahead of the fantasy playoffs. However, there are plenty of leagues that have a later deadline and some that have no deadline at all. This is especially true of dynasty leagues, and while this week's column will still […]


Justin Herbert - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Fantasy Football Matchups We Love - Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks for Week 12 Include Bo Nix, De'Von Achane, Quentin Johnston, Calvin Ridley, more

It seems as though fantasy managers were either incredibly disappointed or incredibly excited in Week 11. The output was modest for most players. However, if you had a monopoly on a select few players such as Cooper Kupp, Taysom Hill, or the Detroit Lions, you likely won your week. With the fantasy playoffs roughly three weeks […]


Christian McCaffrey - Fantasy Football Rankings, DFS and Betting Picks, NFL Injury News

Fantasy Football Matchups to Target, Avoid (Week 12) - Offensive Line Champs and Chumps

11 weeks have come and gone in the NFL season, which means the fantasy playoffs are just around the corner. Whether you are at the top of the standings or fighting for a playoff spot, Week 12 will feature a unique challenge. Six teams are on bye in Week 12, forcing fantasy managers to get […]


Darnell Mooney - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

Fantasy Football WR Injury Reports: Week 12 Updates For Darnell Mooney, Gabe Davis, Mike Evans, Adam Thielen

The season's (first) biggest bye week has arrived. Six teams (Falcons, Bills, Bengals, Jaguars, Saints, Jets) get a week off. That makes it more important for fantasy football that the wide receivers scheduled to play do so. To keep close tabs on all of the news across the NFL, make sure to favorite or bookmark […]


George Pickens - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL injury News

Steelers vs. Browns TNF Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Jameis Winston, Nick Chubb, David Njoku, Jerry Jeudy, Russell Wilson, Najee Harris, George Pickens

The Week 12 Thursday Night Football game between two bitter AFC North rivals (Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers) is not likely to end up like the Thursday night game from two weeks ago when two different AFC North teams (Bengals and Ravens) battled to a 35-34 shootout. Somewhere deep in the charter of the Pittsburgh […]


Isiah Pacheco - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Rookies

Fantasy Football Injury Reports For NFL RBs: Week 12 Updates for Isiah Pacheco, Tyjae Spears, Jonathon Brooks, Miles Sanders

Below is our fantasy football injuries report for running backs in Week 12, as of November 20. The injury statuses for various NFL running backs are up in the air for Week 12, including Isiah Pacheco, Tyjae Spears, Jonathon Brooks, and Miles Sanders. As the fantasy football season continues, every decision, transaction, and lineup change […]


Taysom Hill - Fantasy Football Rankings, Waiver Wire Pickups, Draft Sleepers

Fantasy Football Risers and Fallers - Week 12

Week 11 of the 2024 season is in the books. That means another week of cold, hard data to analyze. We’ll try not to overreact, but instead, use logic and reasoning as the foundation for our decision-making in the weeks ahead. Each week, we’ll take a look back at the previous week to see if […]


Jonnu Smith - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Fact or Fiction: Fantasy Football Outlooks for Anthony Richardson, Jerry Jeudy, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Taysom Hill, Jonnu Smith

Week 11 of the NFL is behind us, and it's time to look ahead to next week's action. There were some surprising performances in the 11th week of the season, but were those surprising performances a sign of things to come for players? Every week, I'll examine five NFL players whose numbers from the previous […]


Ladd McConkey - Fantasy Football Rankings, Rookies, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Fantasy Football WR Sleepers: Smash Spots for Week 12 include Courtland Sutton, Josh Downs, Terry McLaurin, Ladd McConkey

Welcome to the first bye-pocalypse of the season. We have the Bengals, Bills, Falcons, Jaguars, Jets, and Saints all on bye. Do not panic; there are always great WRs to start! Last week, none of our selections found the end zone. However, they put up decent yardage. Highlighted by CeeDee Lamb going eight receptions for […]


Jaxon Smith-Njigba Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

High-Value Touches and Opportunities - Fantasy Football Underperformers, Overperformers (Week 12)

Welcome back, RotoBallers, to my weekly series, "High-Value Touches and Opportunities" for Week 12 of the 2024 fantasy football season. We're nearly a month before the fantasy football playoffs begin, depending on if leagues go through Week 17 or 18. It's crunch time, and we'll want to pay attention to the news, noise, and trends, […]


TJ Watt - IDP, Pittsburgh Steelers, DST, Defense, Fantasy Football Def

Week 12 IDP Rankings for Fantasy Football (2024) - Defense Positional Rankings for LB, DL, DB

Week 12 is an appropriate time for fantasy and NFL general managers to take stock. Is their team a real contender, a pretender, or are you comfortably in the basement? Those in the basement of dynasties may be looking to tank for better picks, while those in redraft leagues may still want to win enough […]


Top Fantasy Football D/ST Rankings (Weeks 12, 13, 14, 15) - Defense Streamers and Starts

Welcome, RotoBallers, to our fantasy football D/ST streamers and starts for Weeks 12, 13, 14, and 15 -- looking at the next four weeks and identifying the best D/ST matchups. Picking up defenses in advance that have a great upcoming schedule is a strategy that most fantasy managers should be using at this point of the season.  […]