Dallas Cowboys coaching search: Pete Carroll reportedly spoke with Jerry Jones

According to Nick Harris of the Fort Worth-Star Telegram, there is some interest between the Dallas Cowboys and Pete Carroll over the open head coaching role. Harris says Carroll has spoken directly with Jerry Jones and a decision is now in the hands of the Cowboys owner/general manager.

“While the Cowboys mull over Brian Schottenheimer’s two days of interviews with the team, @startelegram has learned that there has been interest in former Seahawks HC Pete Carroll and that he has spoken with Jerry Jones,” Harris said via X. “Decision is in the hands of Jerry.”

Carroll was not in coaching last season, moving into a different role with the Seattle Seahawks. He was officially labeled as an “advisor” after also being the franchise’s vice president of football operations.

Fourteen seasons with Seattle resulted in a 137-89-1 overall record and 10 playoff appearances. Of course, the Super Bowl title in 2013 — something the Cowboys ultimately want in the coming years. But just one other occasion saw the Seahawks make it to at least the NFC Championship game. One year after the title, they infamously lost in the Super Bowl.

Cowboy fans might remember going head-to-head against Carroll in the 2018 NFC Wild Card game. It’s the only playoff game Dallas has won at AT&T Stadium in the Dak Prescott era.

Two things appear to be key for the Cowboys throughout this search — somebody who has familiarity with the organization or previous head coaching experience. Carroll would certainly check the latter box.

Adam Schefter provides latest on Cowboys, Brian Schottenheimer

The Dallas Cowboys have spoken with several head coaching candidates over the past 10 days, but one appears to be standing out at this point. ESPN insider Adam Schefter revealed Thursday on Get Up that Brian Schottenheimer “may be the guy in Dallas.”

Brian Schottenheimer spent the past two days interviewing with Cowboys officials and is clearly squarely in the running, per Schefter. Schottenheimer was the offensive coordinator for the Cowboys each of the past two seasons.

“Brian Schottenheimer started meeting with the Jones family on Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday night. Those meetings went throughout the day Wednesday. Broke up early last night. And obviously, by the length of those meetings, that would tell you that Brian Schottenheimer is in square contention to become the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys,” Schefter said.

On3’s Matt Connolly contributed to this report