Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders has already met with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to discuss the team’s HC opening after Mike McCarthy’s contract was not renewed, and that’s sparked plenty of conversation about whether Coach Prime is the right man to help end the Cowboys’ almost 30-year Super Bowl drought.
Some have suggested that Sanders, a former Cowboys star, would be a perfect fit in Dallas. Others, however, have noted that Jones’ habit of meddling with personnel and football decisions could rub Coach Prime the wrong way.
ESPN Analyst Says Deion Sanders, Cowboys Aren’t a Match
ESPN analyst and former NFL executive Louis Riddick threw his hat into the ring on Tuesday, suggesting on “Get Up” that the personality clash between Sanders and Jones would be too much to overcome for Dallas.
"Deion is the ultimate alpha. … He won't have the same kind of influence in Dallas. … Professionally, I just don't see this as being a match."
—@LRiddickESPN on Deion Sanders and Jerry Jones speaking about the Cowboys' HC vacancy pic.twitter.com/2lp5GNpy0f
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) January 14, 2025
Even before the reporting of their meeting, Bovada had Sanders as the favorite to land the Cowboys’ head coaching job. Coach Prime has better odds than Buffalo’s Joe Brady, Detroit’s Ben Johnson, Houston’s Bobby Slowik, Kansas City’s Matt Nagy, and broadcaster Tony Romo.
Who will be HC of the #DallasCowboys for week 1 in 2025?
Deion Sanders EVEN
Joe Brady +200
Ben Johnson +325
Bobby Slowik +1000
Matt Nagy +1800
Tony Romo +2800 pic.twitter.com/tBvQ6xZ41j— Bovada (@BovadaOfficial) January 13, 2025
Having just led Colorado to its best season since 2016, Sanders has begun creating a legacy for himself in the collegiate ranks. Leaving that behind for the pros — even as his son, Shedeur Sanders, gears up for the NFL Draft — would be a fascinating decision.
Cowboys’ Opening Is Intriguing But Comes With Immense Pressure
Sanders and Jones have a close relationship, which may have helped the former get an audience with the Cowboys owner/general manager. Sanders was a star cornerback for Dallas from 1995-1999, helping the team win a Super Bowl.
Sanders had a Hall of Fame career and earned several accolades, including an NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, eight All-Pro selections, eight Pro Bowl nods, and a spot on the NFL’s 100th Anniversary All-Time Team and 1990s All-Decade Team.
As a coach, Jackson has had successful stints at Jackson State and Colorado, with an all-time record of 40-18.
Just as he was during his playing days, Coach Prime is polarizing because he’s brash and doesn’t lack confidence. He’s also helped develop Shedeur and cornerback/wide receiver hybrid Travis Hunter into potential top-five draft picks.
Though Sanders may want more control than Jones is willing to cede, his knack for coaching football at a high level cannot be denied.
McCarthy, meanwhile, went 49-35 in five seasons with the Cowboys, winning just seven games this year. Dallas went 12-5 in McCarthy’s second, third, and fourth seasons, though the team produced a disappointing 1-3 postseason record under the now-dismissed head coach.
Whether it’s Sanders or someone else, the Cowboys’ next head coach will be tasked with, above all else, performing in the playoffs. That shouldn’t be an impossible task, given that the team employs quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, and defensive savant Micah Parsons, among other stars.
There’s a reason this was ranked as the top opening among all head coach-less franchises this offseason. Still, there’s a history of playoff ineptitude stretching back nearly three decades that is hovering over this franchise.
Whoever he hires as his next head coach, Jones better make sure that it’s someone he can see eye to eye with, lest the Cowboys let their superstar-laden core go to waste.