With contract talks between Mike McCarthy and the Dallas Cowboys breaking down, one of the most desirable coaching positions in sports has now opened up. The Dallas Cowboys are coming off a losing season after making the playoffs for three straight years. They are the latest NFL team to enter the coaching carousel and could look to bring in a coach from the college football world.
5 College Football Coaches Who Could Coach the Dallas Cowboys
Matt Campbell, Iowa State Head Coach
Matt Campbell is no stranger to the NFL world. He has interviewed for NFL head coaching vacancies multiple times over the past few years, most recently with the Chicago Bears in this current cycle.
Viewed as a true program builder and strong leader, coach Campbell came to an inconsistent Iowa State Cyclones program and has turned them into a consistent contender in the Big 12. The 45-year-old has churned out many NFL stars including David Montgomery and Brock Purdy and already has the most wins of any head coach in Iowa State history.
FOLLOW ALONG: Track Every Transfer Portal Entrant in our CFN Transfer Portal Tracker now!
Campbell is an innovative offensive mind and emphasizes fundamentals and discipline. He is known for his fiery personality and strong relationship with his players and coaches. His attitude could be just what Dallas needs, and his résumé speaks for itself.
Bill O’Brien, Boston College Head Coach
Bill O’Brien is most known for his seven seasons as an NFL head coach. He finished with a winning record in five out of his seven seasons as the head coach of the Houston Texans. O’Brien was fired early in the 2020 season and since has been an offensive coordinator at multiple stops, including the New England Patriots and the Alabama Crimson Tide.
O’Brien is the rare head coach who has seen success at both the NFL and college football levels. His tenure in Houston did not end well but has since worked back up and become a strong candidate for another head coaching job in the NFL.
He is considered a strong offensive mind and has expertise in developing quarterbacks. He has plenty of experience as a play-caller and has maximized the potential of most offenses he has worked with. O’Brien loves to utilize motion in his offense, and his scheme includes many West Coast offense principles.
O’Brien has always been adaptable in his offense and is often looking to modernize and equip strategies to keep defenses guessing. Regarded as a strong leader, he has always done well with the media. O’Brien could definitely be on the Cowboys’ radar and provide a stable leader that can be relied upon.
Deion Sanders, Colorado Head Coach
One of the hottest names in football, Deion Sanders could present himself as a candidate for the Cowboys’ opening. Sanders is, of course, a former Super Bowl winner with the Cowboys as a player and is well-respected within the organization. Sanders and Jerry Jones have a close relationship and know each other very well.
Sanders shook the college football world a few years ago by taking the head coaching job with the Colorado Buffaloes. Colorado is coming off a nine-win season under Coach Prime and is sending Heisman-winner and former five-star recruit Travis Hunter to the NFL along with quarterback and son Shedeur Sanders.
Coach Sanders’ biggest strength is his recruiting ability. He was able to bring countless highly recruited players with him to Colorado and even built a star-studded coaching staff including former NFL coach Pat Shurmur.
Sanders is an up-and-coming coaching star and has earned respect by turning around both Colorado and Jackson State. His charisma and savvy make him a desirable candidate. Sanders is a splash hire that Dallas could certainly consider.
Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss Head Coach
As one of the best head coaches in college football, Lane Kiffin could present himself as a candidate for the Cowboys’ job. Kiffin has shown frustration with where college football is heading with things like Name, Image, and Likeness and the College Football Playoff format. This could drive Kiffin on a route back to the NFL.
Kiffin is an offensive mastermind and excels at designing and calling innovative offenses. He is creative and aggressive and seems to have an answer for any defense he sees. Kiffin is a phenomenal programbuilder and has seen success at every stop in his college football career.
He has coached at major programs like the Ole Miss Rebels and Tennessee Volunteers and smaller programs like the FAU Owls, and his résumé even includes a head coaching stint in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders.
Kiffin’s success comes from his leadership and preparedness. He has his players ready to go on game day and can be relied upon to compete and adapt when needed. Kiffin would be an extremely strong candidate if he made himself available for this job with his experience and ability. He would be a great fit in Dallas and could be a real candidate for this job.
Lance Leipold, Kansas Head Coach
Lance Leipold could emerge as a candidate due to his program and culture-building ability. Dallas is in a spot where they could use a shake-up in their overall culture. They aren’t winning in the way the organization is used to, and it starts with the head coach.
Leipold is known for doing a lot with a little. He has turned around struggling programs such as Kansas and Buffalo. He has a track record of success at every level and has committed to sustained success and patience. He could be what Dallas needs. Leipold leads by example, is a guy that players gravitate towards, has an understanding of all aspects of football, and would be a guy players want to play for.
Dallas needs a culture shift; Leipold has proved countless times his ability to create a strong culture no matter what the circumstances are. Leipold is a strong candidate and one Dallas could look to pursue.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and every Group of Five conference and FBS Independent program.