Cowboys open talks with Deion Sanders over head coach vacancy after ousting Mike McCarthy
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Colorado coach Deion Sanders are said to be in discussions about the vacancy at the franchise.
The Cowboys are looking for a new head coach after parting ways with Mike McCarthy on Monday after five seasons.
The franchise reportedly failed to reach an agreement on a new contract with McCarthy, with Jones later stating that it had become clear that the Cowboys needed to go in a different direction.
And the Cowboys have reportedly already moved on. According to a report, Jones wasted no time in making contact with a potential candidate.
The 82-year-old has had conversations with Sanders, the current head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, about a possible homecoming in Dallas. Jordan Schultz reports.
Sanders is considered the “top candidate” for the position and discussions are expected to continue, the report said.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones (right) and Deion Sanders (left) are said to be in conversation
Mike McCarthy is leaving his position as head coach of the Cowboys this week
However, Jones, who is also the Cowboys’ general manager, will also interview other candidates.
The Cowboys confirmed on Monday that McCarthy would not return for the 2025 season, with Jones claiming in a statement that the decision was mutual.
“We will immediately begin a search process to hire the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys,” Jones confirmed.
McCarthy’s contract expires Tuesday after the team missed the playoffs at 7-10. The coach went 49-35 in five seasons with Dallas, never reaching the NFC Championship game during that span.
Meanwhile, Sanders led the Buffaloes, including his son, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, to a 9-4 record and a 7-2 mark in the program’s first year in the Big 12.
Sanders spent five years with the Cowboys and was part of the Super Bowl-winning Dallas team in Super Bowl XXX in 1995.
But the Cowboys vacancy isn’t the only NFL coaching position he’s been linked to this week.
Sanders is said to have shown “strong interest” in the job left open in Las Vegas by the Raiders’ firing of Antonio Pierce.
But Mark Davis, Tom Brady and co. have “zero interest” in hiring the 57-year-old, according to The Athletic.
The Raiders have already interviewed Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. They have interviews scheduled next week with former Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and ex-New York Jets coach Robert Saleh.
And Brady, who is part of the interview process, is said to consider Johnson his favorite for the role.