Cowboys coaching search: Steve Mariucci makes compelling case to hire Deion Sanders

There are plenty of differing opinions about how successful Deion Sanders would or would not be if he is hired as the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. Former NFL head coach Steve Mariucci offered his thoughts on the potential hire on Saturday ahead of NFL playoff action.

According to Mariucci, Deion Sanders would be a great hire for Jerry Jones and the Cowboys.

“You’re going to say, ‘Ah Muc, you’re crazy, because you’re friends’ and all this stuff. … There are a lot of other good candidates. There are a lot of great candidates that Jerry can choose from,” Mariucci said. “But let’s just talk about, some people think this is crazy because he has no coaching experience in the NFL, at all. But I will say this, he’s coached a lot.

“He’s coached youth football, try doing that some time. He’s coached high school football, try doing that some time. He’s coached college at a very high level.”

As Mariucci said, Deion Sanders has had success coaching in youth football, high school football, at the FCS level and in Power 4 football.

He also clearly knows football as he won a pair of Super Bowls, was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year and is in the Hall of Fame as a player, in addition to his success as a coach.

“I’ve seen him relate to the kids. When he starts teaching about defensive back technique, that kind of thing, he’s second-to-none. And the respect that he has from these kids, you can’t believe it,” Mariucci said.

Deion Sanders wouldn’t call plays as a head coach, the way that some other candidates do. But he would build a strong culture and have everybody buying in, according to Mariucci.

It’s clear that Mariucci is a big believer in Coach Prime and what he could do for the Cowboys.

“He would manage the game. He would be responsible for the culture in that locker room. And I’m not saying it’s bad. Mike McCarthy did a heck of a job,” Mariucci said. “But when Prime is in charge, he wants a certain kind of way with his young men, to be respectful to women and to the game and respect things. He teaches how to be a great human being.

“This would be awesome if Jerry says, ‘He’s one of our own. He’s one of our stars. We are America’s team.’ Heck, he might bring fans from all over the country. … But I know that if he got the opportunity and they joined forces, this could be awesome to watch. He could do it.”