Dallas Cowboys coaching search: Insider suggests Jason Witten as candidate

The Dallas Cowboys are searching for a new head coach after making the decision to move on from Mike McCarthy. Former star tight end Jason Witten is a legitimate candidate for the job, according to Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Harris shared that Jason Witten is among the candidates who should be taken seriously for the opening.

“Buzz has already begun to circulate as a coaching search kicks into high gear. Expect Kellen Moore to be deeply in the mix. Jon Gruden can’t be ruled out. Is Jason Witten realistic? Simply put, yes,” Harris posted on Twitter.

At the moment, Witten’s only coaching experience is being the head coach at Liberty Christian School (Argyle, Texas). However, Jerry Jones has said in the past that he believes Jason Witten has a bright future in coaching.

Back in November, Jerry Jones compared Jason Witten to current Lions head coach Dan Campbell, who is widely regarded as one of the best coaches in the NFL.

“Yes. Without hesitation. Yes,” Jones said, regarding whether he thinks former Witten could one day be an NFL coach, via 105.3 The FAN per The Athletic’s Jon Machota. “He has something that you can’t draw up. He reminds me a lot of our other tight end who is head coach up there in Detroit right now (Campbell).

“Jason is very sophisticated when it comes to understanding football and all the nuances. But more important than anything, he really does understand the physical and the mentality of being physical and that part of it. Without a question, he could become (an NFL coach). He has extraordinary work ethic. … He can be a top coach.”

It’s not unheard of to see former players like Witten receive opportunities based off their playing career. He’d certainly galvanize the Cowboys fanbase if he was hired, maybe not as the head coach quite yet, but at least in an assistant capacity.

Time will tell what the future holds for Jason Witten. While broadcasting didn’t go his way, at least he tried it, and he’s now showing his mettle as a coach. If Jerry Jones is right, the former Cowboys tight end could be on his way toward a very interesting second chapter in the NFL.

It will be interesting to see how the Dallas Cowboys coaching search plays out.