Dallas Cowboys next head coach odds: Deion Sanders leading candidate
Mike McCarthy's time with the Dallas Cowboys has come to an end. McCarthy and the Cowboys couldn't agree to terms on a new deal, so after five seasons both are searching for new opportunities.
McCarthy posted a 49-35 record during his five seasons with the Cowboys, including three consecutive 12-5 seasons sandwiched in the middle. Dallas went 7-10 this season, marred by a season-ending hamstring injury to Dak Prescott in Week 9.
The Cowboys' search for a new head coach has begun. Most notably, Deion Sanders is priced as the top possible candidate as the wheels start to turn on the coaching search.
In addition, over the previous six offseasons, defensive coaches have been at a disadvantage throughout the NFL hiring cycles. Just 17 of the last 43 head coaching hires have been defensive coaches, while 27 have come from offensive backgrounds. This is something to consider while evaluating the Cowboy's next head coach odds.
Cowboys next head coach odds
Here are the latest Cowboys next head coach odds at DraftKings Sportsbook:
Deion Sanders, Colorado Buffaloes head coach (+100)
The Hall of Famer is the current leader in the Cowboys' next head coach odds. Sanders, 57, played for Dallas from 1995-1999 and won a Super Bowl with the team in his first season with the Cowboys. He has been the head coach of Colorado for the last two seasons after signing a five-year, $29.5 million contract ahead of the 2023 season. He's compiled a 13-12 record in his two years in charge.
Since he arrived in Colorado, Jerry Jones has been complimentary of Deion Sanders. That hasn't changed, even as recently as this season. The admiration might be mutual. Reports indicate that Sanders and Jones are talking about the open position. FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz was the first to report this development.
Kellen Moore, Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator (+250)
If the Cowboys look for a familiar face to help replace McCarthy, they could look toward Moore. He spent eight years in Dallas as a player and a coach, including four seasons as the team's offensive coordinator. He routinely helped the team finish ranked among the best offenses in the NFL, including when Dallas led the NFL in both points and yards per game during the 2021 NFL season. That should allow Moore to quickly identify and implement a plan to get the most out of Dallas' playmakers given his familiarity with guys like CeeDee Lamb.
Moore also performed well as a coordinator in 2024, his first season with the Eagles. Philadelphia finished the season ranked sixth in offensive EPA per play (0.1) and fourth in EPA per running play (0.09). Under his guidance, Saquon Barkley finished as a 2,000-yard rusher, so Jones could envision Moore getting a lot out of CeeDee Lamb, Rico Dowdle, and others in 2025 and beyond. – Jacob Camenker
Kliff Kingsbury, Washington Commanders offensive coordinator (+350)
The former Arizona Cardinals head coach is quickly climbing the head coaching candidate ranks again in the NFL with the Washington Commanders. He's done an outstanding job coaching Jayden Daniels to a likely Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign. As an offensive coordinator, he has proven terrific with dynamic quarterbacks who can throw and run. Dak Prescott might not fit that mold at this stage in his career, but Kingsbury's vertical passing offense would pair well with the veteran.
Joe Brady, Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator (+450)
The Bills offensive coordinator is elbowing his way into head coaching opportunities around the league. Brady could be a top option if the Cowboys want to go with an up-and-coming coach. The 35-year-old took over the Bills offense midway through the 2023 NFL season after they fired Ken Dorsey. Under Brady, Buffalo has one of the most efficient and explosive units in the NFL, displayed in the wild card game against the Broncos. The Bills finished the 2024 season ranked second in EPA per play (0.18) while Josh Allen recorded 41 total touchdowns in an MVP-caliber season.
Notably, Brady helped coordinate the 2019 Joe Burrow-led LSU Tigers which also had Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase. Brady could help coach Prescott back to an MVP level.
Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator (+550)
Ben Johnson, Detroit's highly coveted offensive coordinator, surprisingly ranks fifth in the Cowboys' next head coach odds. The 38-year-old was arguably the hottest name in the head coaching market last offseason. Since he became the play-caller, the Lions have boasted a top-five offense by nearly all metrics. Johnson has turned down multiple opportunities to stay with Detroit, hoping to win a Super Bowl with the franchise before departing. Still, he has already interviewed with multiple teams this cycle.
Bill Belichick, North Carolina Tar Heels head coach (+650)
When news broke that McCarthy would not be returning, Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz reported there would have been mutual interest between the Cowboys and the legendary head coach had Belichick known the position would become available.
"Belichick and his camp never received any indication during backchannel conversations that the job would open up, which is partly why he ended up at UNC," Schultz wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). "Belichick has an excellent relationship with the Jones family."
Schultz did not say that would eliminate Belichick as a candidate for the job. However, Belichick and Michael Lombardi have been adamant that the former Patriots coach would stay at UNC after accepting the job in December.
Steve Sarkisian, Texas Longhorns head coach (+750)
It's not surprising to see another current college coach on this list.
Sarkisian has previous experience working in the NFL as the quarterbacks coach for the Raiders in 2004 under Norv Turner. After one season he returned to college football but eventually spent two seasons as offensive coordinator for the Falcons from 2017 to '18 after Dan Quinn hired him to replace Kyle Shanahan. He has built a perennial contender at Texas over the last four seasons and his offenses have been stellar throughout his career.
Jason Witten, former Dallas Cowboys tight end (+850)
Jerry Jones isn't one to shy away from making headlines and splashes. Who's to say Deion Sanders isn't the only former Cowboys player to get a call about the opening on the sidelines in Arlington?
Earlier in the fall on Nov. 15, 2024, Jones was asked whether Witten would have a future as an NFL coach during his weekly appearances on 105.3 The Fan. "Yes. Without hesitation. Yes," Jones said. "[Witten] has something that you can’t draw up. He reminds me a lot of our other tight end who is head coach up there in Detroit right now [Dan Campbell].
"Jason is very sophisticated when it comes to understanding football and all the nuances. But more important than anything, he really does understand the physical and the mentality of being physical and that part of it. Without a question, he could become [an NFL coach]. He has extraordinary work ethic. ... He can be a top coach."
Hiring Witten might not be the most prudent move. The former Cowboys tight end has been the head coach at Liberty Christian School in Argyle, Texas for the last four years. He has no other coaching experience.
Aaron Glenn, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator (+950)
Surprisingly, the Detroit Lions defensive coordinator has not been given a head coaching opportunity to this point in his career. Glenn was interviewed for head coaching roles in the previous four offseasons but has yet to be chosen. He is a widely respected voice around the league and is a top candidate this offseason.
Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose. While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling. We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is upto the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site. Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegallyor any sort of professional advice.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.