The Dallas Cowboys have enjoyed outstanding success in the regular season with Mike McCarthy. However, it’s been perennial disappointment with the Cowboys head coach in the NFL playoffs. It creates a need to evaluate Cowboys coaching candidates for 2024 after Jerry Jones’ team fell short once again.
While the Cowboys have an impressive win-loss record with McCarthy, they haven’t been able to get past the Divisional Round. Entering the NFL playoffs, Dallas hadn’t reached the NFC Championship Game since Jan. 14, 1996. For context, the Cowboys haven’t played in a conference title game since Keyshawn Johnson was drafted. Sunday’s humiliating loss to Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers was another reminder that Dallas doesn’t have a great head coach.
- Mike McCarthy coaching record: 42-25 with the Dallas Cowboys, 1-3 in NFL playoffs
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Let’s dive into our Cowboys coaching candidates in case McCarthy is fired.
Top Dallas Cowboys coaching candidates
Dan Quinn, Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator
With the Seattle Seahawks, Washington Commanders and Los Angeles Chargers all after Dan Quinn, it’s now or never for the Dallas Cowboys. Players love him, especially edge rusher Micah Parsons, and there’s no denying his success turning around the defense. If Quinn walks out the door for another head-coaching opportunity, there’s a strong argument to be made that Dallas is losing its best coach.
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| Dallas Cowboys defense | PPG Allowed | 3rd Down % | EXP | Yards per Play Allowed |
| 2020 | 29.6 (28th) | 46.89% (27th) | -141.7 (22nd) | 5.9 (23rd) |
| 2021 | 21.1 (7th) | 34.75% (2nd) | 21.8 (3rd) | 5.5 (21st) |
| 2022 | 20.1 (5th) | 39.54% (18th) | 31.77 (3rd) | 5.1 (7th) |
| 2023 | 18.5 (5th) | 37.44% (14th) | 32.08 (6th) | 5.0 (9th) |
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While Quinn doesn’t have the track record of success as a head coach like our other top Cowboys coaching candidates, he should be the top choice for Dallas. If Jones wants to maintain defensive continuity, keep his All-Pro defenders happy and ensure there’s no drop-off in 2024 and beyond, Quinn should be the Cowboys head coach if McCarthy is fired.
Mike Vrabel, former Tennessee Titans head coach
Mike Vrabel immediately became one of the best NFL coaching candidates the moment he was fired by the Tennessee Titans. The former New England Patriots linebacker and Super Bowl champion wanted to be coaching a competitive football team, the Cowboys are a perfect fit.
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Vrabel is reportedly interested in the Cowboys’ job if it becomes available. While reports indicate he would prefer to have some input on roster construction, circumstances could be different in Dallas. With Stephen Jones and Will McClay running the show, Vrabel could have full confidence in the front office to build one of the NFL’s best rosters and maintain it for years to come. Plus, Dallas would still allow him to still have some involvement in player evaluation.
As for what Vrabel brings to the table, he arguably could provide something the Cowboys need. While Dallas has some of the nicest facilities in pro sports and the franchise provides a fantastic atmosphere for fans, there is room to improve accountability, leadership and even discipline. Vrabel is more of a hard-nosed coach than McCarthy, but he’ll still be well-liked and trusted by players.
Bill Belichick, former New England Patriots head coach
The only way Dallas moves on from McCarthy is if Jones believes it improves the team’s Super Bowl odds. Cowboys coaching candidates don’t include young up-and-comers because this franchise can’t afford to take a chance on someone unproven. It’s all about winning now, which is why Bill Belichick is an option.
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Many will rightfully point to the Patriots’ issues offensively, a bad track record in recent years with hiring assistants and an even longer list of his misses in the NFL Draft as an executive. The two things Belichick can still do, though, are lead a team and orchestrate one of the best defenses in the NFL.
- New England Patriots defense 2023: 4.7 yards per play allowed (4th), 28.7 percent scoring rate allowed (4th), 86.9 QB rating allowed (11th), 93.2 rush ypg allowed (4th), 25.44 Expected Points Added (7th)
In this scenario, with Quinn potentially leaving for Seattle, the Cowboys land an even better defensive mind to lead this unit in 2024. Belichick also brings some of the same leadership qualities as Vrabel and his Super Bowl experience and playoff success would be incredibly valuable to the franchise. As for the offense, much like this season, Dak Prescott handles a majority of it at the line of scrimmage with someone like Josh McDaniels serving as the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator.
Jim Harbaugh, Michigan Wolverines coach
If Jones is going to swing, he might as well swing big. Even before he won a national championship with the Michigan Wolverines, Jim Harbaugh won everywhere he went. He’s one of the best football coaches ever, with a resume of success at the collegiate and professional levels that few others can match.
- Jim Harbaugh NFL coaching record: 44-19-1 (.695) in the regular season, 5-3 in the playoffs
Related: NFL owner reportedly behind Michigan Wolverines’ offer to Jim Harbaugh
Landing Harbaugh would be costly. With Michigan offering him upwards of $15 million per season and top NFL coaches making around $20 million, Dallas would need to make Harbaugh its highest-paid coach ever. Ordinarily, that’s risky for someone who last worked as an NFL coach in 2014.
However, Harbaugh is an ideal fit to pair with Dak Prescott. The Cowboys’ offense could be just as successful as it is now, potentially even better. As for the Cowboys’ defense, Dallas could also pay up to get Wolverines’ defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, which would be a home-run hire.
Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator
An experienced head coach will likely be Jones’s priority when replacing McCarthy. However, the top Cowboys coaching candidates are primarily defensive-minded head coaches. If Dallas determines it needs someone who can truly maximize Dak Prescott and put this offense over the top, look no further than Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
| Year | PPG | Yards per Play | 3rd Down Rate | Red Zone TD Rate |
| 2022 | 26.6 | 5.9 | 40.76% | 66.18% |
| 2023 | 27.1 | 5.9 | 41.52% | 64.06% |
We understand the risks of hiring someone with no head coaching experience. However, the Cowboys’ organization is in desperation mode. What Jackson lacks in experience, he makes up for with his mind as an offensive innovator. The Cowboys’ offense was good this season, Johnson will make it even better. He is especially great in critical situations, with his success as a play-caller on third downs and in the red zone standing out.
Besides, Jones already tried things with a veteran coach and McCarthy proved why the Green Bay Packers moved on from him. Johnson’s a risky hire, but the upside is having a play-caller who is constantly on the leading edge of innovation. After years of McCarthy’s bad habits burning Dallas, a change is necessary.