Only Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones could give a current head coach job security while also leaving the door open for a potential change. All this has prompted rumors that Jones could go big-game hunting and make a run at the Michigan Wolverines‘ Jim Harbaugh or New England Patriots‘ Bill Belichick this offseason.
During his weekly radio show with 105.3 The Fan, Jones appeared surprised that Mike McCarthy‘s job security is a topic of discussion. Yet, just days earlier Jones noted that the Cowboys would take it game by game with McCarthy when it comes to the postseason. It is hard to imagine the Cowboys moving on from McCarthy after three straight seasons with 12 regular-season wins.
Another early playoff exit for the Cowboys will add fuel — rightly or wrongly — to the fire about McCarthy’s future. Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox made the argument as to why Harbaugh would be a top candidate if the Dallas makes a surprise move with McCarthy.
“Could Dallas be one of those teams [interested in Harbaugh]? It’s difficult to believe otherwise. Harbaugh is about to play for one championship, and he wasted little time getting the same opportunity the last time he was in the NFL,” Knox wrote in a January 8, 2024, article titled “Ideal Head Coaching Fits for Cowboys If They Lose in NFL Playoffs, Fire Mike McCarthy.”
Harbaugh reached the NFC title game in his first season as the 49ers’ head coach and made it to the Super Bowl the following year. If Jones wants a head coach who has proved he can yield fast results, Harbaugh is his ideal target.
“It’s not hard to envision Jones swooping in and making a play for arguably this year’s hottest coaching candidate.”
