Ranking Top 5 candidates to potentially replace Cowboys’ HC Mike McCarthy

If the Cowboys move on from Mike McCarthy… who do you want to see be the team’s head coach?

From the outside looking in it looks as if the final three games of the 2024 NFL regular-season could be Mike McCarthy’s last as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. At least, that’s what a lot of the fans around Cowboys Nation are hoping. That may or may not be the case though.

Behind closed doors it doesn’t look as if a decision has been made about Mike McCarthy’s future in Dallas as of yet. Jerry Jones hasn’t outright confirmed McCarthy has a future with the Cowboys beyond this season, but they haven’t completely closed the door on the possibility either.

With the door left ajar, there’s no way of really knowing right now what the Cowboys are thinking in regards to the head coach position beyond this season. That hasn’t stopped all the speculation as to what might happen. In just a few weeks time we should learn McCarthy’s fate and that may or may not lead to a new head coach search.

Today, we thought we would share our top candidates we believe make the most sense to replace McCarthy as the Cowboys next head coach. This is a list of what we would like to see them do, not what we believe will happen. As such, opinions will likely vary as to how we have these coaches ranked, and rightfully so.

Honorable Mention

Colorado Buffaloes HC Deion Sanders
Former New Orleans Saints HC Dennis Allen
Houston Texans OC Bobby Slowik
Miami Dolphins OC Frank Smith
Baltimore Ravens OC Todd Monken
Former New York Jets HC Robert Saleh
Philadelphia Eagles OC Kellen Moore
Denver Broncos DC Vance Joseph
USC HC Lincoln Riley

#5 – Detroit Lions DC Aaron Glenn

Aaron Glenn already has ties to the Cowboys, playing two of his 15 seasons with the organization, and could be someone Jerry Jones targets to replace McCarthy. In a short time as the Lions DC he’s turned them from the 32nd ranked in defensive DVOA in 2020 to one of the best teams in DVOA in 2024. He is well-regarded as a leader of men and has proven he knows how to get the best out of his players.

#4 – Washington Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury

Kingsbury’s time as the Arizona Cardinals head coach didn’t go as planned, but he’s now redeemed himself as the Washington Commanders offensive coordinator helping rookie QB Jayden Daniels find early success in the NFL. He is another young, innovative playcaller who could help the Cowboys offense become more productive. There are some rumors circulating already he could be a top candidate to replace McCarthy in Dallas.

#3 – Former Tennessee Titans HC Mike Vrabel

If Dallas was truly interested in Bill Belichick as their next head coach, Mike Varbel should be atop their list as well. He’s one of the most proven candidates out there for teams looking for their next head coach and his no-nonsense, disciplinarian type of coaching style could do wonders for the Cowboys undisciplined and penalty riddled ways the past few years. As a defensive-minded head coach, he could potentially help take Micah Parsons game to another level.

#2 – Buffalo Bills OC Joe Brady

If Plan A (below) falls through, Joe Brady would be a nice consolation prize for the Cowboys. Under his tutelage, QB Joe Burrow excelled during their time together at LSU and now in the pros Brady continues to find success as an OC with the Buffalo Bills. They have been a Top 5 team in offensive DVOA in his three seasons as the play-caller for QB Josh Allen and could have similar success with Dak Prescott in Dallas.

#1 – Detroit Lions OC Ben Johnson

Johnson is expected to be the most highly sought after candidate for teams looking for their next head coach. His ingenuity and creative play-calling has not only turned the Detroit Lions offense into one of the better units in league, but also resurrected QB Jared Goff’s career. If the Cowboys want to get the best out of their highest-paid players, Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, Johnson’s innovative offensive scheme would be a perfect fit for them.