87-win Cowboys HC reveals dynamics to succeed leading America's Team as Jerry Jones shifts interest to Deion Sanders

Dallas Cowboys’ search for the next head coach following the departure of Mike McCarthy has brought both scrutiny and speculation as the franchise prepares for a new chapter in 2025.

Amid Jerry Jones’ reported interest in Deion Sanders, former Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett — who racked up 87 total wins (85 in regular season and 2 in postseason) during his tenure in Dallas — offered a rare insight into thriving in one of the NFL’s most demanding and scrutinized roles.

Speaking on ESPN's This is Football podcast with Kevin Clark, Garrett noted the importance of incredibly strong leadership and communication for any prospective coach stepping into Jones’ orbit.

“I think you have to be an excellent communicator. I think you have to be an excellent leader,” Garrett said. “And when I say communicator and leader, it’s not only communicating and leading to your staff and to your team, it’s also leading upward in the organization.”

The former Cowboys head coach also pointed to alignment throughout the organization as a critical factor for NFL success.

“The teams that have success in the NFL are aligned. They’re aligned from ownership to General Manager, to head coach, to coordinators, quarterback all the way down through,” he noted.

Having worked closely with Jones during his coaching days in Dallas, Garrett highlighted the distinct challenges and opportunities that come with working for someone who doubles as the team’s owner and general manager.

“It can be challenging in Dallas because of the ownership General Manager, but also can be advantageous in Dallas because the ownership and the general manager is the same guy. So it’s incumbent upon you to do a great job communicating what the vision is, being disciplined to that,” Garrett added.

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Is Deion Sanders the right choice for Jerry Jones and Dallas Cowboys?

As rumors about Sanders’ reported Cowboys return take centerstage, Garrett’s insights offer a sobering perspective on the anticipated struggles awaiting whoever takes the job. Sanders brings star power and charisma wherever he goes, but the NFL is a different beast, and managing the Cowboys’ complex structure could test even the most seasoned leader.

What makes Sanders an intriguing candidate is his meteoric rise in college football. However, his lack of NFL coaching experience raises valid questions.

Not only will the next Cowboys head coach need a bold vision but also the ability to navigate one of the most unique dynamics in professional sports. The stakes couldn't be higher for a franchise desperate for its first Super Bowl in nearly three decades.