After parting ways with head coach Mike McCarthy on January 13, the Dallas Cowboys are on the hunt for a new leader.
As expected, there has been no shortage of speculation surrounding who will replace McCarthy, with many high-profile candidates emerging from both the NFL and college football ranks.
Among the names in the mix, one prediction stands out, and it’s a familiar face to both the team and its passionate fanbase.
According to ESPN NFL expert Dan Graziano, the Cowboys’ next head coach could very well be former Cowboys quarterback and current Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator, Kellen Moore. Graziano, writing in a January 14 feature, believes that Moore, who played for the Cowboys from 2015 to 2017, has a strong connection to the organization and its current star quarterback, Dak Prescott.
Moore’s coaching career with the Cowboys began in 2018, where he served as quarterbacks coach before being promoted to offensive coordinator in 2019.
Under his guidance, the Cowboys offense enjoyed a productive run, and Moore’s success in orchestrating offensive schemes could make him an ideal candidate to replace McCarthy.
The prediction comes on the heels of Moore’s work with the Eagles. As offensive coordinator, Moore has helped lead one of the league's most efficient offenses, ranking sixth in the NFL with 26.7 points per game. In contrast, the Cowboys’ offense struggled this season, ranking 25th in the league with an average of 18.9 points per game.
This offensive disparity only bolsters Moore’s candidacy for the head coach role in Dallas.
While Moore's name is the favorite, Graziano notes that the Cowboys are still in the early stages of their search, and a wide range of candidates will likely be considered.
This includes potential interviews with notable college coaches such as Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman, USC's Lincoln Riley, Texas' Steve Sarkisian, and Iowa State's Matt Campbell.
Moore, who has previously interviewed for head coaching positions in the past, is once again seeking a promotion during this hiring cycle.
Graziano also highlighted Moore’s deep understanding of the Cowboys' culture and the team’s aspirations under Prescott’s leadership.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones issued a statement on January 13 regarding the parting of ways with McCarthy.
Jones expressed gratitude for McCarthy’s contributions but acknowledged that it was time to move in a new direction.
"Over the past week, Mike and I had the opportunity to conduct a joint review of all aspects of the past season, our players and staff, and also spent considerable time discussing the road forward for the team," Jones said. "These discussions were thorough and received an appropriate amount of time and depth to cover. However, it became mutually clear that it would be better for each of us to head in a different direction."
Jones further thanked McCarthy, his wife Jessica, and their family for their positive impact on the Dallas community. "They have been a wonderful part of our community here," he added.
In a statement signaling the start of the team’s search for a new head coach, Jones confirmed that the Cowboys would begin the process immediately to hire the next leader of America’s Team.
As the Cowboys embark on this pivotal search for their next head coach, Kellen Moore’s name will likely remain at the forefront of discussions.
However, with a range of potential candidates from both the NFL and college ranks, it remains to be seen who will ultimately get the job of leading the storied franchise into its next chapter.
Cowboys fans will be closely watching as the team searches for a coach who can bring the franchise back to championship contention.
With Moore’s familiarity with the organization and proven offensive acumen, many believe he could be the perfect fit to help guide the Cowboys into a new era.
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