Cowboys Narrow Down Head Coach Search as Other Teams Hire Top Candidates
The Dallas Cowboys’ search for a new head coach has been one of the most closely watched stories of the 2025 NFL offseason. With several top candidates already scooped up by other teams, the Cowboys have been forced to refine their list of potential hires, adjusting to a rapidly changing coaching landscape. The process has been anything but straightforward, but now, as the dust begins to settle, the Cowboys appear to be zeroing in on their next leader for the team.
As of January 2025, the coaching carousel has been spinning quickly, with teams making bold moves to secure their preferred leaders. While some franchises have made their decisions with surprising swiftness, the Cowboys’ search has been slower, perhaps due to the organization’s unique position of being both one of the most storied franchises in NFL history and one with elevated expectations for success. The pressure to hire the right person to manage a roster with significant talent and long-term aspirations for a championship is palpable.
The search started soon after the Cowboys’ disappointing playoff exit in January, following another underwhelming season despite significant roster strength. While head coach Mike McCarthy had overseen some positive improvements, including a top-tier defense and a strong regular-season record, the team’s inability to make deep playoff runs—coupled with recent in-game coaching blunders—ultimately led to his dismissal. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and general manager Jerry Jones Jr. quickly pivoted to determining the next face of the franchise.
Early Favorites and Frontrunners
The Cowboys began their search by casting a wide net, interviewing a number of candidates with varying levels of experience. Among the early frontrunners were several highly regarded coordinators, former head coaches, and established leaders within the NFL.
- Dan Quinn (Defensive Coordinator, Dallas Cowboys): Quinn, the Cowboys’ current defensive coordinator, had been a prominent candidate from the start. His reputation has soared over the past few seasons, with the Cowboys’ defense becoming one of the league’s most dominant units under his guidance. His experience as a former head coach with the Atlanta Falcons (where he led the team to a Super Bowl appearance) made him a strong candidate. Many inside the organization viewed Quinn as someone who understood the culture of the team, especially given his familiarity with the roster and coaching staff.
- Kellen Moore (Offensive Coordinator, Dallas Cowboys): Another internal candidate was Kellen Moore, the Cowboys’ young and innovative offensive coordinator. Moore had been instrumental in developing Dak Prescott into one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. His ability to craft high-powered offenses, along with his deep understanding of the Cowboys’ offensive system, made him a potential choice for the role. However, Moore’s youth and relative inexperience as a head coach raised questions about whether he was ready to take on such a high-profile position.
- Sean Payton (Former Head Coach, New Orleans Saints): Payton was widely viewed as one of the most accomplished head coaching candidates available. His time with the New Orleans Saints, where he consistently fielded competitive teams and won a Super Bowl, made him a top target for many teams. While Payton had expressed interest in returning to the NFL, he ultimately chose to join the Denver Broncos, leaving the Cowboys to pivot to other options.
- Jim Harbaugh (Head Coach, University of Michigan): Harbaugh was another coach who was often linked to the Cowboys due to his proven success in the NFL. After an incredibly successful tenure with the San Francisco 49ers, Harbaugh had returned to college football, where he revitalized the University of Michigan program. Despite public speculation, Harbaugh’s interest in returning to the NFL was always clear, and many thought the Cowboys would be a perfect fit. However, Harbaugh ultimately decided to stay at Michigan, leaving Dallas once again to look elsewhere.
- Frank Reich (Former Head Coach, Indianapolis Colts): Reich, who was fired by the Indianapolis Colts earlier in the season, was an experienced NFL head coach with a reputation for developing quarterbacks. His leadership qualities and calm demeanor made him an appealing candidate, though some questioned whether his time with the Colts had prepared him to handle a high-pressure job like the one in Dallas.
The Domino Effect
While the Cowboys were conducting their search, other teams in the NFL were also making coaching decisions quickly, leading to several dominoes falling in the coaching market. The Chicago Bears, for instance, were among the first teams to make their move, hiring offensive mastermind Eric Bieniemy from the Kansas City Chiefs to be their head coach. Bieniemy’s experience working with Patrick Mahomes and a high-powered offense made him a sought-after candidate, and his quick departure from the pool put pressure on teams like the Cowboys to make decisions sooner rather than later.
The New York Giants also made a high-profile move, hiring veteran head coach and former Patriots assistant, Bill O’Brien, to take over as their next leader. O’Brien’s history with quarterback development and his prior head coaching experience made him one of the top candidates for other teams, including Dallas. With these moves, the Cowboys were faced with the reality that many of the top coaching talents were quickly being scooped up by other organizations.
Adjusting the Search
With many of the “big names” now off the board, the Cowboys were forced to take a step back and reassess their options. The hiring of Payton and Bieniemy in particular forced them to shift their search to other areas, refocusing on potential candidates with more specific ties to the Cowboys or emerging coaches with unique perspectives.
One candidate that rose to the top of their list was Mike Kafka, the offensive coordinator for the New York Giants. Kafka, who had been instrumental in revitalizing the Giants’ offense, especially in the development of Daniel Jones, emerged as a strong candidate for Dallas. His ability to adapt offensive schemes and his success in developing young quarterbacks made him an appealing choice for the Cowboys, particularly given the importance of Dak Prescott’s growth in the upcoming seasons.
Another name that gained traction was Brian Flores, the former head coach of the Miami Dolphins. Flores’ fiery leadership style and defensive acumen had earned him respect across the league, and despite his controversial firing in Miami, many believed he was ready to take on a new challenge. His ability to lead a team through adversity and build a strong defensive culture could align well with the Cowboys’ current roster.
The Cowboys also considered bringing in a coach from outside the NFL, with Lane Kiffin, the head coach of the University of Mississippi, emerging as a surprise contender. Kiffin’s innovative offensive mind and ability to develop quarterbacks caught the attention of many NFL teams, including Dallas. However, his inexperience in the NFL might have been a sticking point for Jerry Jones, who is known for his pursuit of highly seasoned candidates.
Finalizing the Decision
As January drew to a close, the Cowboys’ decision-making process began to speed up. While they were initially hesitant to make a quick choice, the organization realized that they could no longer afford to be patient with the other teams filling their vacancies. Ultimately, it was Dan Quinn who seemed to emerge as the most likely candidate to land the job.
Quinn’s familiarity with the Cowboys’ personnel, his success in building a dominant defense, and his previous head coaching experience all made him the most well-rounded option. His presence as a leader and motivator for the team’s defensive players could be a major asset, especially with key figures like Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs in place.
Jerry Jones, known for his unpredictable nature and willingness to make bold decisions, had been heavily involved in the search process. He was reportedly enamored with Quinn’s leadership qualities and his ability to bring a steady hand to a team that had been inconsistent in the postseason. By promoting Quinn, the Cowboys would maintain some continuity while also benefiting from his dynamic leadership and tactical expertise.
The Road Ahead
As the Cowboys’ coaching search begins to conclude, the team’s immediate future will hinge on whether Quinn can elevate the Cowboys to the next level. His experience and leadership will be critical in managing the team’s explosive offense and continuing to build upon the solid foundation of the defense. While the Cowboys’ head coaching search may have been longer and more complicated than some anticipated, it seems clear that the right choice will be pivotal in determining the trajectory of the franchise.
With a roster full of talent and a renewed commitment to competing for championships, the Dallas Cowboys’ next head coach—likely Dan Quinn—will face the lofty expectation of bringing the team back to Super Bowl contention. The pressure will be on him to guide the Cowboys to a championship, but if there’s any coach with the right mix of experience, leadership, and tactical brilliance, it’s Dan Quinn.
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