3 ways Jerry Jones’ blunders will cost Cowboys in search for next HC
Mike McCarthy leaving the Dallas Cowboys HC position late could scupper Jerry Jones' chances of landing a top candidate.
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Jerry Jones' blunders could cost Dallas Cowboys top OC candidates (Image via Imago)
The situation with the Dallas Cowboys took a turn for the worse when Mike McCarthy parted ways. It is not that the decision surprised many; it was the timing and the manner in which Jerry Jones decided not to give him a new deal.
This season was about playing against the odds. After Dak Prescott went down with a season ending injury, many expected the Cowboys to tank. The reasons were obvious as the franchise needs a lot of good players. With their not-so-great salary cap situation, they would need to build through the draft.
However, Jones and the players did not want to go along with the idea, and they decided to give their best. After five straight losses, McCarthy led a motivated team to win four out of their next five games. That fifth game could also have gone their way if not for some major errors.
They did lose their final two games, but that earlier stretch led Jones to shower praise on McCarthy. Many felt the head coach had done enough to secure another contract, as Jones denied the Chicago Bears from interviewing his HC. After all that, to let him go at this time indicates Jones has fumbled the bag.
Timing of Mike McCarthy’s exit
When Jones denied the Chicago Bears from interviewing McCarthy, it gave the assumption that the 61-year-old was going to stay on as head coach. However, now that he is no longer in the job, the Pittsburgh native can now interview with any team he wants.
If at all Jones wanted to keep him around, the decision should have been taken as soon as their season ended. Waiting to discuss the deal and then not giving McCarthy something long enough to suit his needs was a mistake.
Jerry Jones felt he held the cards when he denied the Bears. But in reality, it was Mike McCarthy’s win, as his contract was already expiring soon. The Bears’ request instead gave him leverage to try to negotiate for a longer deal.
Had the owner at least started discussions earlier, he could have gauged his interest and adjusted accordingly. But the two reportedly just sat for one session before McCarthy called it quits. Now, Jones is in a dilemma, as he cannot interview prospective coordinators.
Jerry Jones cannot interview playoff coordinators
The league prohibited coordinators from interviewing for vacant head coaching positions once the playoffs start. That means, if Jones wants to speak with any coordinator, he will have to wait until after their respective seasons are over.
Both Detroit Lions coordinators Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson are firmly in the playoffs. So are Kansas City Chiefs coordinators Matt Nagy and Steve Spagnuolo. If both those teams were to reach the Super Bowl, Jones will have to wait until after the game to even speak with them.
On the other hand, teams with head coaching needs have already completed their interviews with most of them. That means, the 82-year-old has timed himself out of contention. If those coordinators have been selected for any of the five vacant jobs, that automatically pushes the Cowboys out of the race.
Had Jones decided on interviewing candidates earlier, he could have spoken to them. However, it is too late now, and the only chance he can get a call in is if the candidates in question want to listen to Jones’ pitch. But Dallas Cowboys legend Troy Aikman‘s words suggest the job isn’t coveted enough.
Which means neither of those elite coordinators looking to become head coaches would wait to entertain a call from the Dallas Cowboys. If that happens, Jones will have to expand his search to former players or other college or high school coaches.
The former players option
Jerry Jones likes the idea of former players leading his team. Jason Garrett proved that as he spent 13 seasons with his former team, first as an OC and then ten seasons as their head coach. Rumors indicate Jones wants to follow that path this time around.
That meant one of the first names to be mentioned was going to be Deion Sanders. Sanders can bring the energy and drive needed to win at the biggest stage. However, he is currently contracted to the Colorado Buffaloes and has indicated he wants to stay.
The former player rumors also brought up the name Jason Witten. As one of the most beloved players in Dallas Cowboys’ history, he is greatly revered and commands respect. He has coached Liberty Christian School to two state championships and is on Jones’ radar.
However, Witten has no experience coaching in the NFL and has to build connections with prospective assistants if he wants to take up that job. The last remaining possibility is current Philadelphia Eagles OC Kellen Moore, who could easily land the job.
But what is startling is that the most valuable franchise in the league does not have coaches ready to lead them. Jerry Jones could have acted sooner. But now he might be forced to hire someone just because they are available.
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Joseph Varghese
(2273 Articles Published)