Why a Dallas Cowboys coaching search is always controversial

Only the Dallas Cowboys can generate this much attention when searching for a new head coach.
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During a coaching search in any sport, few teams attract as much media attention and public discourse as the Dallas Cowboys, who are currently in search for a new head coach.

The Cowboys waited a week before officially parting ways with Mike McCarthy who went 49-35 and 1-3 in playoffs across five seasons in Dallas, while several other teams had already begun interviewing top-tier candidates such as Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Buffalo Bills' offensive coordinator Joe Brady.

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Reports have surfaced that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, leading the search for his ninth head coach since purchasing the team in 1989, has been in discussions with Colorado Buffaloes head coach and Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, while also having potential interest in Cowboys legend Jason Witten.

Jason Witten
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While other teams have quickly acted in their search for a new head coach, with one official hiring—the New England Patriots naming Mike Vrabel as their new head coach—the Cowboys have yet to formally request any interviews.

By retaining McCarthy for an extra week, Dallas missed out on the initial opportunity to interview top candidates like Johnson, Brady, and Aaron Glenn, another prominent Detroit coordinator and a former Cowboys player himself.

MORE: Jason Garrett explains what type of coach can succeed with Cowboys

When it comes to the Cowboys, several factors contribute to the often-controversial nature of their coaching searches.

The Jerry Jones Factor is the most obvious. The enigmatic owner, Jones, is both the architect of the franchise's success and the source of much of its dysfunction. His hands-on approach, while often brilliant in player acquisition, can lead to micromanagement and conflicting visions with coaches.

Jerry Jones
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Then, there is a lack of real change and the opportunity to strike on something big when it matters the most.

Jones is more likely to hire a familiar face like Kellen Moore, the Philadelphia Eagles' current offensive coordinator and another candidate to keep an eye on, whose time in Dallas in the same position (2019-2022) included both highs and lows, but could be potentially a better fit for the controlling owner compared to more up-and-coming candidates like Johnson or Brady.

MORE: Deion Sanders, Dallas Cowboys reunion seems very improbable

Shifting back to Sanders, he may find himself in a potentially advantageous situation between the Cowboys and Colorado.

The concept of hiring a high-profile candidate like Prime is intriguing, but it could raise concerns about the possible gap between his success in college football and the demands of coaching in the NFL.

Additionally, it’s important to note that Sanders is not one to take a back seat to anyone. Only time will reveal what he can accomplish if given the opportunity to lead in Dallas.

Sanders
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To sum it up, Cowboys coaching search is more than just a personnel decision; it's a cultural phenomenon.

The Cowboys, known as 'America's Team,' undergo a dramatic transformation during their head coaching searches. These searches become spectacles, soap operas, and circuses unlike any other in the NFL.

From the tumultuous transition away from Hall of Famer Jimmy Johnson to the controversial hiring of Barry Switzer, to the successful appointment of the legendary Bill Parcells, Jones is no stranger to these high-stakes situations.

It's a reflection of the team's unique place in American sports, a blend of ambition, pressure, and the ever-present shadow of greatness. And while it may be a source of frustration for many, it's undeniable that it makes for compelling theater in Big D.

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