Deion Sanders‘ unexpected success at the University of Colorado has sparked continuous speculation that he would be willing to leverage that success into a shock return to the NFL — as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, one of the largest brands in professional sports.
Dallas owner Jerry Jones let head coach Mike McCarthy leave the organization following the expiration of his contract last week — and until he hires a replacement, Coach Prime will continue to be regarded as a leading candidate, even if the reality is at least slightly different.
Sanders absent from interview list as negotiations continue with Colorado
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Cowboys are entering a new phase in their search that does not seem to include Sanders — who starred on Dallas’ last Super Bowl-winning team, way back in 1995.
“Understanding that it’s Jerry Jones and literally anything crazy can happen — there has been no interview with Deion Sanders and the Cowboys,” Rapoport explained. “From what I’m told, there is not one scheduled. I’d be surprised if an interview ever happens — not saying impossible — but I’d be surprised.”
The Cowboys have already conducted a virtual interview with Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, as well as an in-person interview with former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh. Dallas also plans to speak with veteran coach Leslie Frazier, and Jones — like many other executives in the NFL — is interested in speaking with Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
Even Jason Witten, a former Cowboys tight end with no NFL coaching experience, is poised to get a good long look at this coveted opening — all while Sanders reportedly discusses a contract extension with Colorado, lending credence to rumors that Coach Prime has been using Dallas’ purported interest to secure more money and power in Boulder.
As Sanders is not on the Cowboys’ list of candidates at a crucial stage of the search, it stands to reason that Prime is nowhere near pole position in Dallas’ hunt for its 10th head coach in franchise history. Jones, at 82 years old, will be aware that this may be his only chance to re-acquire Sanders, and that gamble is one that he is not willing to take in mid-January.