Cowboys coaching search: Front-runner emerges, interview schedule, more candidates

It’s been one week since the Dallas Cowboys and Mike McCarthy decided to part ways. The Cowboys are still in the process of conducting their head coaching search. One thing seems clear, this search is going to be more similar to the one they conducted before hiring Wade Phillips than before hiring McCarthy.

McCarthy was one of only two candidates interviewed following the 2019 season. Phillips was one of 10 interviewed following the 2006 season. Here’s what we know so far.

Who has interviewed?

Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh. Moore’s interview was done virtually on Friday. Saleh’s took place in-person on Saturday. The ties between Moore and the Cowboys are obvious. Saleh didn’t have much head coaching success with the New York Jets, but he’s regarded as an elite defensive coach.

GO DEEPER

Cowboys coach survey: Did Dallas make right decision? Deion, Ben Johnson top choices?

Who is scheduled to interview?

Former Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier is scheduled to meet with the Cowboys on Monday. This was a surprising name to surface only because Frazier hasn’t been mentioned with any of the other openings around the league. The Seattle Seahawks assistant head coach was the Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2022. He was head coach of the Minnesota Vikings from 2011 to 2013.

Who are some of the other candidates?

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. This isn’t a likely pairing. Most believe he will become one of the NFL’s highest-paid coaches, winding up with the Chicago Bears, Las Vegas Raiders or Jacksonville Jaguars. Although the Cowboys are the most valuable sports franchise, they don’t have a history of spending at the top of the market for coaches. But Johnson should still be interviewed now that the Lions’ season is over. He’s regarded as one of the top offensive minds in the game. The Cowboys had not yet moved on from McCarthy when Johnson was conducting virtual interviews during Detroit’s first-round playoff bye week.

Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. The former Pro Bowl cornerback played for the Cowboys during the 2005 and 2006 seasons. Glenn has been on NFL coaching staffs since 2014. He’s been Detroit’s defensive coordinator for the last four seasons. The Lions’ defense turned in a poor performance in Detroit’s divisional-round loss to the Washington Commanders on Saturday night, but a significant factor was numerous key injuries on that side of the ball, which included Pro Bowl pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson. Glenn is expected to get a head coaching job during this hiring cycle. It would not be a surprise to see the Cowboys interview him this week for the job.

Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. He’s done an excellent job coaching rookie QB Jayden Daniels. Washington’s unexpected run from 4-13 last season to NFC Championship Game this season has elevated Kingsbury’s stock. He has been considered a top offensive coach since his college coaching career, which consisted of stops at Houston and Texas A&M before becoming head coach at Texas Tech from 2013-2018. He was hired as the Arizona Cardinals head coach in 2019. In his four seasons, the Cardinals went 28-37 with one playoff appearance. If Jerry Jones feels like Kingsbury can get the best out of Dak Prescott, this hire could make sense. Prescott isn’t going anywhere and the Cowboys likely go as he goes over the next four seasons.

GO DEEPER

Kellen Moore jumps Deion Sanders as favorite for Cowboys head coach opening

Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady. With Josh Allen at quarterback, the Bills have had one of the NFL’s top offenses over the last five seasons. Brady was hired as Buffalo’s QB coach in 2022 and then became interim OC last year. He was the Carolina Panthers OC in 2020 and 2021 and LSU’s OC during its 2019 national championship season. It seems more likely that Jones would be in favor of Moore over Brady, but an interview would make sense.

Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. Although he did not call plays the previous two seasons as Dallas’ OC, he could be a consideration if Jones is looking to keep offensive continuity. The son of Marty Schottenheimer has never been a head coach in the NFL but he has been offensive coordinator for the Jets (2006-2011), Rams (2012-2014) and Seahawks (2018-2020). This is an unlikely pick but can’t be completely ruled out.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders. Jones reached out to Sanders the same day the announcement was made that they were looking for a new head coach. However, there has been no formal interview planned. This has been great for publicity as many have speculated about what it would be like to see Sanders paired with Jones. But so far, publicity is all it’s been.

GO DEEPER

How Cowboys can pitch their head coach opening — and what candidates should be wary of

Who is the front-runner?

This can change quickly depending on who else gets an interview, but the front-runner right now is Moore. He was the first interview and Jones thinks highly of the former Cowboys QB, QB coach and offensive coordinator. It’s clear on social media that fans would prefer Johnson and Sanders over Moore. Jones did acknowledge before the season finale on Jan. 5 that he takes some fan opinion into account when making an evaluation on the team’s head coaching position.

“I use a lot of input from key people that are associated with the team, players,” Jones said on the 105.3 The Fan pregame show. “I use former coaches. I use input from really interested fans. I get it all.”

If Jones really wants Moore he might have to wait until after the Super Bowl. Philadelphia is the favorite to win next weekend’s NFC Championship Game. The longer the search goes, the more likely it would seem that Moore is the pick.

Who would you most like to see become the next Dallas Cowboys head coach?

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) January 20, 2025

(Photo of Kellen Moore: Tommy Gilligan / Imagn Images)