Who will replace Mike McCarthy? 5 names who have been linked with Cowboys feat. Jason Witten, Deion Sanders and more

Mike McCarthy has left his role as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. The former Super Bowl champion left America's team with a 49-35-0 record in his five-year spell.

McCarthy led the Cowboys to three postseason berths, but the team never reached the NFC Championship Game. Hence, Jerry Jones is in the market for a head coach who can take his side to the next level.

So, with McCarthy's tenure officially in the books, let's look at a handful of names linked with the Dallas Cowboys head coaching job.

Who will replace Mike McCarthy?

Here's a look at five names that could become the new Dallas Cowboys head coach. Kindly note that all odds are courtesy of DraftKings as of Jan. 14, 2025.

5. Pete Carroll - (+2000)

Pete Carroll is a veteran head coach and one of professional football's most respected coaching minds. As a head coach, Carroll is one of just three persons in history to win a Super Bowl and NCAA Championship Game.

Carroll last coached in the NFL, serving as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks from 2010 to 2023. He serves as an advisor for the Seahawks but has been linked to numerous coaching roles in the most recent hiring cycle. If hired by Jones, he could bring a winning mentality to the Cowboys.

4. Jason Witten - +850

Jason Witten is a former star tight end for the Dallas Cowboys and the current head coach of Liberty Christian in Texas. Witten starred for the Cowboys for 16 seasons and is considered by many to be the greatest tight end to play for America's team.

He has had a great relationship with Jerry Jones since his playing days and has emerged as a dark horse contender for the head coaching gig.

3. Kliff Kingsbury - +350

Kliff Kingsbury has done a great job restoring his reputation after a disappointing head coaching spell with the Arizona Cardinals. Kingsbury has thrived as the offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders, and the franchise has reached the NFC divisional round.

Hence, Kingsbury could be a solid hire for the Cowboys if Jerry Jones gives him his second chance as an HC coach in the league.

2. Kellen Moore - +250

Due to his impressive work, Kellen Moore has the second-best odds of landing the Dallas Cowboys job. The former Cowboys backup quarterback has held offensive coordinator positions with the Cowboys, Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles.

Moore is doing wonders on Nick Sirianni's staff, and it might be the perfect time to give him the biggest job in the NFC. He would have been a lock for the role if not for the superstar next on the list.

1. Deion Sanders - +100

Deion Sanders' coaching the Dallas Cowboys feels like destiny. Sanders brought "Prime Time" to Dallas for five seasons as a player and won a Super Bowl ring with Jerry Jones' side. He has since gone on to carve out a solid collegiate coaching career at Jackson State and now the Colorado Buffaloes.

Coach Prime would be a sensational hire from a marketing perspective. However, it's too early to say whether he's ready to jump from collegiate football to the pros.