The latest story developing in the NFL landscape is who will reignite the Dallas Cowboys after their nightmare season. It’s no secret that head coach Mike McCarthy’s future in Dallas is hanging by a thread.
Jerry Jones’ Cowboys might soon be looking for a fresh face to take on the head coaching role — and Deion Sanders, AKA Coach Prime, is a name that keeps making the rounds. However, sports columnist Jason Whitlock isn’t buying into the idea.
Jason Whitlock Not Amused by Coach Prime Hype Train
On his Fearless podcast, Whitlock tore into the possibility of Coach Prime’s rumored link-up with the Cowboys. He predicted that a Sanders-Jerry Jones partnership would be nothing short of chaotic. Whitlock points to Sanders’ well-known drive for control as the reason why this match might not work.
“If Deion goes to Dallas, he’s going to want to do things his way,” Whitlock said. “He doesn’t just want to coach the team; he wants to choose the players, too.”
Comparing Sanders to other NFL coaches like Dan Campbell and DeMeco Ryans (something that former NFL coach Rex Ryan said would work for the Cowboys), who focus solely on coaching, Whitlock insisted that Sanders would be different. “Deion’s ego is far more enormous than theirs, and Jerry Jones would have to basically surrender all power to him,” he added. [03:30]
Speculation about Sanders joining the Cowboys has only gained traction with the recent success of his University of Colorado program. The Buffaloes, currently at 7-2, have far exceeded the low expectations some analysts, including Whitlock himself, had for them.
However, despite Colorado’s performance, Whitlock continues to criticize Coach Prime’s methods. He has consistently questioned Sanders’ coaching approach, labeling it as more self-promotional than principled.
“Deion wraps his approach in a Christian package, but there’s nothing Christian about it,” Whitlock argued.
Whitlock is not a Deion fan, and he has made no secret about it. He always presents his strong views and doubts about Coach Prime’s character and style. To Whitlock, his personality attributes would likely clash with Jones, who has a history of running the Cowboys with a more traditional approach.
Before the season, Whitlock disregarded Sanders’ success in the 2024 college football season. However, the Pro Football Hall of Famer has enjoyed a hell of a season so far, securing bowl eligibility and in the hunt for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Still, Whitlock predicts a rocky road ahead for Colorado and Coach Prime in the remainder of the season. He warned that the Buffaloes would face losses in their upcoming games, including matchups with Utah, Kansas, and Oklahoma State.
Confident in his prediction, Whitlock even promised to attend Colorado’s bowl game in full Buffs gear if they exceed his expectations by finishing with more than eight wins.
For now, Cowboys fans and NFL analysts wonder if the allure of Sanders will outweigh the risks Whitlock foresees.