The Dallas Cowboys’ season, at 3-6, is already over before Thanksgiving. Even before this, it was pretty much a given that head coach Mike McCarthy would not be returning to the team after this season. He’s in the final year of his contract and after three consecutive 12-5 regular seasons but a 1-3 record in the postseason in his four years in Dallas, McCarthy was already on his way out.

Frustration is mounting for Mike McCarthy

📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/vbeE0lYF5Z

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 3, 2024

There is still a possibility that Jerry Jones could fire McCarthy in the middle of the season, though he’s said that he does not plan to do so. With Jerry, you never really know. Regardless, they should be thinking about who is next. Here are some potential candidates.

Five potential candidates for Cowboys head coach job

Deion Sanders is widely considered one of the best athletes of all time, having played in both MLB and the NFL. He played for the Cowboys from 1995 to 2000 and in his first season with them, they won a Super Bowl. He understands the Cowboys organization and his experience could be just what they need.

He’s currently coaching for the Colorado Buffaloes, and spent three seasons coaching at Jackson State before that. Both teams had successful seasons under his leadership. Colorado is at 7-2 and second in the Big 12 this season after their 41-27 win over Texas Tech on Saturday.

.@michaelirvin88 asked @DeionSanders about coaching the Cowboys… Watch until the end to see Prime's response 😂 pic.twitter.com/wonYbtDR4H

— Speak (@SpeakOnFS1) November 13, 2024

Aaron Glenn is currently the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions and, in his three and a half year there, has completely transformed the defense into one of the best in the league at stopping the run. That‘s something the Cowboys are in desperate need of at the moment as one of the worst rushing defenses in the league. Glenn interviewed for several head coaching positions last season but didn’t land any. Considering the Lions are on track to make a Super Bowl run at 8-1, he may be a much hotter candidate next season, and the Cowboys will be in the market.

Mike Vrabel is currently a coaching and personnel consultant for the Cleveland Browns after being dismissed as head coach for the Tennessee Titans at the end of the 2023 season. In his six seasons with the Titans, he had a 54-45 record and in the 2019-20 season, he took them to their first AFC Championship in seventeen seasons. The Cowboys could use his mind to help improve their run game.

Kingsbury is currently working for the enemy as the offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders. He didn‘t have a lot of success as the head coach for the Arizona Cardinals from 2019-2022, but he was indeed dealing with a difficult roster. He is seeing quite a bit more success helping lead rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. His young and creative offensive mind could be a good fit in Dallas.

Rumors and gossip about the Cowboys bringing on former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick have been ongoing for a pretty long time now. But now that this season has gone down the drain and the reality that McCarthy is in his last season is becoming clearer, the idea is looking more like a realistic possibility…to some.

Of course, on paper, he looks like a great option. He’s won six Super Bowls, his last one just six years in the past. But taking on Belichick means Jerry would need to give up some control, and Jones setting his ego aside, I just absolutely do not see happening. Nor do I see Belichick allowing Jerry to make all the moves while he sits and watches. This one, while intriguing, seems more like a pipe dream.