As the Dallas Cowboys begin the search for their next head coach, the organization is reportedly preparing to reach out to Oklahoma Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley about the head-coaching vacancy in Dallas.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Cowboys are expected to check in with Riley to determine if he has an interest in making the switch to the NFL. While those close to Riley don’t expect him to have interest in leaving Oklahoma, Rapoport notes that the door hasn’t completely been closed on his mind being swayed.
Riley is among the top coaching candidates this offseason and for good reason. The 36-year-old coach has a 36-3 record in his three seasons leading Oklahoma’s football program and his offensive mind has seen two of his quarterbacks win the Heisman Trophy and be selected with the No. 1 overall pick.
If Riley stays in college, the Cowboys have plenty of other options. They interviewed former Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy, who remained in Dallas for an extra day after his interview. Dallas also met with former Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis earlier this week.
While Jason Garrett technically remains the team’s head coach and is trying to convince Jerry Jones to keep him, the Cowboys seem ready to move on from him with their eyes set on a top hire this offseason.