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Mike McCarthy led the Dallas Cowboys to a 12-5 season three times in a row from 2021-2023. From cracks showing in the locker room culture, consistent clock management issues, and poor situational coaching, all of which have cost the Cowboys under McCarthy, it led to Dallas having just one playoff win under him.
With the Cowboys going 7-10 in 2024, Dallas severely underperformed and with McCarthy’s contract up it provided Jerry Jones an easy out. Now though with some of the top candidates off the board like Ben Johnson, and Mike Vrabel, it leaves to larger speculation as to who can take over.
The Dallas Cowboys Should Not Consider Deion Sanders As the Next Head Coach
Many have thought Deion Sanders, as he would help fill seats, but he is still learning himself as a coach and Dallas can’t have an adjustment period. They need to win now, which is why Ron Rivera makes sense.
Things didn’t necessarily end well for him in Washington, as he finished with a 26-40-1 record. There were many obstacles for Rivera to overcome on that team though, mainly the organization scandals that were happening off the field at the time.
Before his time in Washington, he was the head coach of the Carolina Panthers where he showcased his true coaching skills. During his career as the Panthers head coach, he led them to a 76-63-1 record, marking the most wins in the franchise’s history. Rivera knows how to get the most out of a quarterback, as he did so with Cam Newton and was successful to the point the Panthers to a Super Bowl and three straight playoff appearances. Rivera isn’t afraid to take chances, and that type of mentality would resonate with the Cowboys team, and Jerry Jones’ philosophy.
Rivera knows how to establish a culture, and with having spent time coaching in the NFC East, he knows the division very well. With a defense with players like Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs, Rivera would help the unit get back to producing on the level they were with Dan Quinn, which in result will take pressure off Dak Prescott and the offense. It isn’t a Sanders type move, but it is a better coaching hire the Cowboys need to make.