The Dallas Cowboys are working hard to find their next head coach after officially parting ways with Mike McCarthy after five seasons. The stage is set for an offseason full of speculation and potential big moves.
Owner/GM Jerry Jones, who has a penchant for making bold and headline-grabbing decisions, is searching for the team’s 10th head coach in franchise history and the ninth under his ownership.
Cowboys Insider Predicts Unconventional Candidate for Dallas Head Coach Job
Names from both the collegiate and NFL ranks are being floated. One intriguing possibility that has emerged amidst this is a reunion with former Cowboys All-Pro tight end Jason Witten.
NFL insider Ed Werder provided the update, tweeting, “I believe there is a very high probability that, depending upon who is hired as head coach, Jason Witten will be included in the staff.”
I believe there is a very high probability that, depending upon whom is hired as head coach, that Jason Witten will be included in the staff.
There were scenarios discussed with Mike McCarthy when he was hired where that could have happened but McCarthy was understandably…
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdNFL) January 16, 2025
This wouldn’t be the first time Witten’s name has been linked to the coaching discussions in Dallas. Similar scenarios were reportedly considered when McCarthy was hired, though concerns about staff dynamics ultimately sidelined those plans.
Witten, who retired from the NFL after the 2020 season, has found success in the high school coaching ranks. As head coach of Liberty Christian High School since 2021, he led the team to back-to-back state championships, including a perfect season in 2023.
His achievements earned him the prestigious “Whataburger” Coach of the Year award from the Cowboys in 2024. Even though he’s achieved success at the high school level, Witten’s exploits have drawn comparisons to other coaches, such as Doug Pederson and Jon Kitna, who transitioned from high school roles to the NFL.
Witten’s legacy with the Cowboys runs deep. The 11-time Pro Bowler holds franchise records in receptions (1,215) and receiving yards (12,977) and ranks second in touchdown receptions (69). His storied 16-year Dallas career, including a brief stint as a Monday Night Football analyst before returning to the field in 2019, makes him a beloved figure in Cowboys history.
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The Cowboys’ decision to move on from McCarthy came after another inconsistent season (7-10) marred by penalties and defensive struggles. Dallas averaged 6.8 penalties per game during McCarthy’s tenure, the highest in the league. Their red-zone defense also ranked dead last in efficiency, a huge weakness for a team with championship aspirations.
Hiring Witten would be unconventional, but unconventional is Jones’ trademark. Pairing a legend with the team’s storied history is something he’ll love to sell to energize the fan base.