The Dallas Cowboys‘ head coaching job is far from a simple one to take on. For one, the Cowboys’ owner is not the easiest person to deal with. Jerry Jones is constantly in the media making bold statements that may have adverse effects on the team’s mentality.
Secondly, there is immense pressure on the head coach of America’s team just simply because of the franchise’s history and its fan following. While many teams would consider getting to the playoffs a rather successful season, for Dallas, it is all about winning the Super Bowl, and anything less is just not acceptable.
Having been to the postseason in each of the past three seasons with the Cowboys, Mike McCarthy has earned himself another shot at the head coaching job. Plus, Jones is not known to fire coaches in the middle of the season, having done so only once to date. That should mean McCarthy is set to continue with the top job at least till next year.
However, in case there is a twist in the tale, let us look at the potential coaches who can step in and take over for McCarthy in Dallas.
Ben Johnson
The current Detroit Lions offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson is another name that could be in position for the top job in Dallas. Johnson has worked his way up the coaching ladder starting as a graduate assistant in 2009 with Boston College.
His first job in the NFL was with the Miami Dolphins as an offensive assistant in 2012. Since then, he has held various roles in Miami such as assistant quarterbacks coach, tight ends coach, assistant wide receivers coach, and wide receivers coach.
Johnson then joined the in 2019 as an offensive quality control coach and then transitioned to the tight ends coach, passing game coordinator, and finally the offensive coordinator in 2022.
The Lions’ offense has flourished under the partnership of Johnson and Dan Campbell over the past couple of seasons. The team made it to the NFC Championship game for the first time since January 1992.
Kellen Moore
Kellen Moore is an exciting candidate for the Cowboys’ job should it be available.
Moore, a former NFL quarterback whose playing career never took off, has climbed the ranks of coaching rather swiftly. Starting out as a quarterbacks coach with Dallas in 2018, he transitioned to the offensive coordinator role for four seasons before accepting the same position with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023.
In 2024, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, once again in the role of offensive coordinator. Nonetheless, he could very well be considered for the head coaching job in Dallas given that he has a history with the franchise as a player and a coach.
Mike Vrabel
Another likely candidate for the head coaching job in Dallas is former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel. He joined the Titans as their head coach in 2018 and guided the team valiantly until 2023. After the 2023 season, Vrabel was let go by the Titans in a move that shocked many experts of the game.
During his six-year coaching tenure in Tennessee, Vrabel’s Titans made the postseason on three occasions, going as far as the AFC Championship game in 2019. He was the brains behind a largely non-competitive franchise that lacked a quality quarterback throughout his tenure.
Despite clear disadvantages on the roster, Vrabel and his defensive-minded approach helped the Titans to exceed expectations.
Bill Belichick
Now that Bill Belichick is out of a coaching job after 24 seasons, he is, without a doubt, one of the top prospects to take the coveted Cowboys head coaching job. Currently, Belichick will be biding his time in the 2024 NFL season alongside Peyton and Eli Manning as part of their Manningcast football show.
Moreover, Belichick had mentioned to his very close confidants that his preferred destination for the next coaching job would be either the Cowboys, Eagles, or the New York Giants.
As per reports in the media, Cowboys owner Jones and Belichick also share a close relationship, so if the stars align, the next head coach in Dallas could be the six-time Super Bowl winner.
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