As Brian Schottenheimer has picked up unexpected momentum for the Cowboys’ HC job, a more conventional option may be under consideration as well. A Pete Carroll connection to a third HC-needy team has formed.
Jerry Jones is believed to have reached out to Carroll recently, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Nick Harris. While this was not an interview and can be classified as an informal discussion, Harris adds the team’s interest in the former Super Bowl-winning coach is believed to be legitimate. That said, no interview is on the team’s docket.
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Not a team known for conventional strategies involving hiring or firing a head coach, the Cowboys already had a non-interview discussion with Deion Sanders. Subsequent reporting has pegged this as an unlikely partnership, with Schottenheimer and Eagles OC Kellen Moore emerging as the early leaders.
Both have history in Dallas and extensive OC seasoning, but if Moore is a true consideration, the Cowboys would need to wait until next week to conduct a second interview and may not be able to hire their former play-caller — should the favored Eagles prevail in Sunday’s NFC championship game — until after Super Bowl LIX. Schottenheimer has not been connected to any other teams’ HC vacancies — this year or at any other point during the 2020s — so the Cowboys would not risk losing their incumbent OC by waiting. But dismissing Mike McCarthy and then promoting his less qualified OC would be a strange move.
While Carroll would be a more down-the-middle hire, he also brings risk due to his age. The former Seahawks, Patriots and Jets HC is 73 and will turn 74 in September. No NFL HC has coached a game beyond age 72. This impacted Bill Belichick‘s job pursuits last year, and Carroll also found himself shut out after his Seattle ouster. But Carroll has rebuild momentum and appears a legitimate frontrunner for the Raiders job. The Bears also met with Carroll during their expansive search.
Jerry should hire Pete Carroll and Wade Phillips as co-head coaches. Youth is wasted on the young…lol.
Articles, media & fans keep bringing up age yet the past two presidents have been older than Pete. Plus Pete would run circles around the past two presidents. I bet Pete can still run a mile. I’d be surprised if both of the last two presidents could even walk a mile without breathing heavy.
Unlike one president, Pete wouldn’t have to worry about someone lurking behind the grassy knoll in Dallas.
Pete’s not getting hired as the next Cowboys HC.
He might be offered “Special Assistant” position in some shape or fashion but not the Head Coach. Jerry Jones is not going to give up any kind of control at all. Nothing to see here folks, keep scrolling.