DALLAS — After the Cowboys fired Mike McCarthy on Monday, many questions surround the organization as they look for a new head coach. Dallas waited a week to make the decision to split with McCarthy, which cost them the ability to speak with two of the top head coaching candidates in Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. 

Jerry Jones has already reached out to one big name about the opening, calling up Deion Sanders to gauge his interest in the position. Sanders told ESPN, “To hear from Jerry Jones is truly delightful, and it’s intriguing, I love Jerry and believe in Jerry. After you hang up, and process it, and think about it, it’s intriguing. But I love Boulder and everything there is about our team, the coaches, our student body and the community.”

Sanders’ record as a head coach in college sits at 40-18, but he’s struggled to win bowl games, with an 0-3 record across his tenure at both Colorado and Jackson State. Although unlikely, if Sanders moved on to the NFL, there’s a chance he could reunite with his son, Shedeur Sanders, who is a projected top pick in the 2025 NFL draft. 

A couple of other names that have been swirling around the rumor mill are both no strangers to the state of Texas. Former Cowboys tight end Jason Witten is said to be a candidate to watch, while Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian is also a name that has been floated by experts. Witten has no prior NFL coaching experience, but has won back-to-back state titles at Argyle High School, while Steve Sarkisian is coming off back-to-back semifinal losses in the college football playoff. 

Other names to watch include Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady. If Dallas wants to interview either of the Detroit Lions standout assistants, they will have to wait until the Lions are eliminated from the playoffs.