Colorado coach Deion Sanders has emerged as a potential option to replace Mike McCarthy as the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.
Sanders just wrapped up his second season at Colorado. He signed a five-year, $29.5 million contract with the program in 2022. In his second year with the Buffaloes, he went 9-4 this season with an appearance in the Alamo Bowl. Many analysts have praised him for developing former five-star cornerback Travis Hunter.
So, how real is Dallas’ interest in Sanders? According to NFL Network’s Jane Slater, the Cowboys have the Hall of Famer on their short list of candidates. However, there’s one obstacle that could prevent Sanders from landing the job.
Slater pointed out that Sanders has a huge staff at Colorado. If he wants to bring his assistants to Dallas, that could be an issue for Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
“He’s got a very large staff there [at Colorado],” Slater said. “Will Jerry allow him to bring all of those [coaches to Dallas]. Mike McCarthy was asked to reduce his staff, and Jerry is not very high on paying his coaches here.”
If Jones isn’t high on paying coaches, it’s hard to imagine he’ll swallow the buyout on Coach Prime’s contract with the Buffaloes. That move would cost the Cowboys roughly $10 million.
Slater later said that Jones is on a “solo mission” at the moment. It’s unclear if he has a top target for the job.
BOULDER, COLORADO – AUGUST 29: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes walks the field during warm ups prior to the game against the North Dakota State Bison at Folsom Field on August 29, 2024 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)
Andrew Wevers/Getty Images
Sanders briefly spoke to ESPN insider Adam Schefter this Monday about the Cowboys. As of right now, it doesn’t sound like he’s eager to take the job.
“To hear from Jerry Jones is truly delightful, and it’s intriguing,” Sanders said. “I love Jerry and believe in Jerry. After you hang up and process it, and think about it, it’s intriguing. But I love Boulder and everything there is about our team, the coaches, our student body and the community.”
In 2023, Sanders said he had no desire to coach in the NFL. He told Sports Illustrated, “I would be too tough as a coach in the NFL because I still have those old-school attributes.”
Until something changes in a hurry, it’s unlikely Sanders will become the next head coach of “America’s Team.”