FRISCO, Texas — As the coaching carousel turns in the NFL, the ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵÏÂÔØÈë¿Ú pursue interests in several candidates whom they believe would be a perfect fit as only the tenth head coach in the history in the organization, ninth in the Jerry Jones era, following the departure of Mike McCarthy after five seasons.
The existing list of possibilities is stacked with variety, from collegiate minds to professional coordinators to current and former NFL head coaches, and the Cowboys are off to the races in contacting several of them to set up potential interviews.
This article will serve as a tracker for you to keep an eye on the entire hiring process, based upon which candidates land an interview and at what stage in the process talks may be.
Bookmarking it would be a wise decision, as it will be updated often.
[Most recent update: 01/17/24]
Candidate: Deion Sanders
Current Position: Head coach, Colorado
Status: A conversation has reportedly taken place between the Cowboys and Sanders, but it was only preliminary, as the former Cowboy and resident Hall of Famer was the first of what will be several to receive a call. No formal interview has been scheduled, but Sanders confirmed the initial conversation by following it up with his commitment to, for now, stay put in Boulder. This exchange could have more twists and turns to come, though.
Candidate: Kellen Moore
Current Position: Offensive coordinator, Eagles
Status: Moore was expected to receive a call from the Cowboys, and the expected has occurred, by way of a formal request placed to the Eagles to speak with the young coordinator. Given the longstanding relationship from Moore's past as a backup quarterback, quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator in Dallas, Moore was recently asked about the pending call — noting he's focused on the current postseason in Philadelphia but leaving the door open for a conversation. And that's a dialogue that happened on Friday afternoon, with the interview having officially concluded and Saleh's to follow on Saturday morning.
Candidate: Robert Saleh
Current Position: Free agent
Status: There is interest from other teams in Saleh as well, the former heralded defensive coordinator of the 49ers having visited with San Francisco for a possible reunion in that role, but also with the Raiders and Jaguars for their vacancies at head coach. His parting of ways in New York leaves him a free agent able to negotiate with any team. There is currently no date set for the interview with the Cowboys, but the expectation is the two sides will sit down soon, and likely as early as later this week.
Candidate: Leslie Frazier
Current Position: Assistant head coach, Seahawks
Status: Frazier and now-former Cowboys' coordinator Mike Zimmer (his contract expired on Jan. 14) have a few things in common. They are both ex-head coaches of the Vikings, Zimmer being the successor to Leslie in Minnesota, and both cut their teeth as defensive minds in the NFL. A formal interview has reportedly been requested with Frazier, and the Seahawks can not deny the request due to it being for a possible promotion. Frazier himself would have to accept the offer to have a conversation with the Cowboys', and it seems he may have — an interview being scheduled for Monday, Jan. 20.
