The Dallas Cowboys are among six teams searching for a new head coach after they parted ways with Mike McCarthy this week. McCarthy had been in charge for the last five years and is now available for hire.

The Cowboys may be targeting high-profile candidates to take over the role. During the wild-card playoff game between the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams, reports surfaced that Dallas had contacted Deion Sanders, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Cowboys cornerback, about the coaching position.

Sanders, who is currently the head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes football team, described the job opening as “intriguing” but expressed his love for the university and its community.

Hall of Fame cornerback Champ Bailey is optimistic about Sanders’ potential in the NFL.

“Any team would be fortunate to have him,” Bailey told YSL News Sports. “I hope he gets a genuine chance. … Dallas would have been the last place I expected him to go, but I’m pleased to hear about the mutual interest.”

“He’s ready for the challenge.”

Sanders played with the Cowboys for five seasons (1995-1999). During that time, he won a Super Bowl, was a four-time Pro Bowler, and earned first-team All-Pro honors three times.

Sanders’ and Bailey’s careers did intersect after Sanders’ tenure in Dallas. Both Hall of Famers were starting cornerbacks for the Washington Commanders (then known as the Redskins) during the 2000 NFL season. That year, Bailey made his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro team while starting alongside Sanders, who was in his 12th year in the league.

“He’s a true professional,” Bailey stated. “His coaching ability, extensive football knowledge, and leadership qualities are unparalleled. Any team that acquires him would be lucky. He’s a proven winner.”

Bailey pointed to Sanders’ accomplishments at Colorado as a positive indicator of his potential success in the NFL.

“He has revitalized Colorado’s program,” Bailey remarked. “I expect him to achieve similar success in the NFL if given the opportunity.”

Deion Sanders’ coaching record

Sanders has been a college head coach for five seasons, including three at Jackson State University and two at Colorado. Here’s a summary of his record:

Jackson State

• 2020-21: 4-3 (season impacted by COVID-19)
• 2021: 11-2
• 2022: 12-1

Colorado

• 2023: 4-8
• 2024: 9-4

Under his leadership, Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter won the 2024 Heisman Trophy, marking the program’s first Heisman victory since 1994.

Coaching candidates for the Dallas Cowboys

Sanders is the most prominent name among potential candidates for the Cowboys head coach position and is currently the frontrunner.

Other possible candidates include:

• Kellen Moore, Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator
• Kliff Kingsbury, Washington Commanders offensive coordinator
• Joe Brady, Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator
• Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator
• Liam Coen, Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator
• Brian Flores, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator
• Pete Carroll, former Seattle Seahawks head coach
• Jason Witten, former Dallas Cowboys tight end