Dallas Cowboys coaching search: Insider reveals top candidates for head coach opening

The Dallas Cowboys have made their decision on head coach Mike McCarthy, and he will not continue as the team’s coach in the 2025 season. The two parties couldn’t agree on the length of a contract, so he will pursue other opportunities, according to Tom Pelissero.

With that in mind, Jon Machota of The Athletic has turned his attention towards which coaches could replace McCarthy in Dallas. Check out his reported list of top candidates below, featuring revered coordinators like Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, former head coaches like Brian Flores and Pete Caroll, and even some surprise options, as well.

Dallas Cowboys Coaching Candidates, via Jon Machota of The Athletic:

• Ben Johnson
• Kliff Kingsbury
• Brian Flores
• Aaron Glenn
• Joe Brady
• Liam Coen
• Kellen Moore
• Pete Carroll
• Jon Gruden
• Ron Rivera

As you can tell, a fascinating mix of names will be in position to land the coveted role with the Cowboys. Which coach is able to separate themselves from the pack remains to be seen, but the job speaks for itself, so expect Dallas to be a hot destination for candidates throughout the league.

Meanwhile, McCarthy’s Cowboys finished the 2024 season with a 7-10 record. The last time the Cowboys had a losing record was in 2020 when they finished 6-10. That was McCarthy’s first year in Dallas, and he then led the Cowboys to three consecutive 12-5 seasons. 

After the Cowboys lost to the Washington Commanders in Week 18, McCarthy said he wanted to be with the team going forward. “Absolutely. I have a lot invested here, and the Cowboys have a lot invested in me,” he said, per the Cowboys’ official website.  “And then there’s a personal side to all these decisions. So, they all point in the right direction.”

McCarthy then explained why he should continue to be the Cowboys head coach. “I don’t like to talk about myself that way, but I’ll just be clear: I’m a winner. I know how to win. I’ve won a championship. I won a championship in this building,” McCarthy said. “And that’s who I am. We’ll see where it goes.”

Moving forward, multiple teams are expected to speak with Mike McCarthy about their vacancy, like the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints. Regardless, it didn’t work out in Dallas, and the Cowboys are moving in a different direction going forward.