It isn’t uncommon for former players to return as coaches for the teams they once played for. Notable examples include Mike Ditka with the Bears, Art Shell with the Raiders, and more recently, Mike Vrabel’s return to the Patriots as head coach, where he secured three Super Bowl victories. Could Deion Sanders be next to join this rare group? According to Adam Schefter, Coach Prime may be on the verge of heading to the Dallas Cowboys.
Following Jerry Jones’s decision to part ways with head coach Mike McCarthy, a position is now available for someone like Deion to step in. Schefter reported that there exists a “mutual interest” between both parties, and preliminary contact has taken place. However, formal discussions have yet to begin, but this mutual interest could evolve into something more substantive in the coming weeks.
Recently, the Cowboys missed the opportunity for a four-day window to engage with coordinators from playoff teams. Their inability to act swiftly has been a recurring theme in recent years. Nevertheless, Schefter suggests that if Jones is earnest about pursuing Coach Prime, there’s no need for concern. There remains ample time for both sides to reach an agreement.
Schefter posits a genuine likelihood of this development, noting that Deion is among the few individuals Jerry holds in high regard and admiration. Coach Prime reciprocates this sentiment toward the Cowboys’ owner, highlighting their mutual familiarity.
”If Deion Sanders is the guy they wanted all along, it doesn’t matter that they haven’t spoken to Aaron Glenn, Ben Johnson, etc. But clearly, Deion is somebody that Jerry Jones knows, there’s a great respect and admiration between two men and we’ll see if those talks materialize any further.”
In the meantime, Coach Prime may be the solution to the Cowboys’ challenges. He garners respect from players and possesses extensive knowledge of how the NFL operates, making it difficult for Jerry Jones to overlook him. The Cowboys’ franchise always draws attention, regardless of their victories or losses, and if comments from former players like Dalton Schultz are to be trusted, the organization operates like a museum, inviting visitors.
This dynamic wouldn’t pose a challenge for Deion Sanders, as he embraces the spotlight and thrives in such situations. In contrast, Mike McCarthy, who hailed from Green Bay—a smaller market within the NFL—did not seem as comfortable in the public eye.
However, a potential obstacle could be his lack of head coaching experience. He has no prior NFL coaching background, having spent just four seasons in college football. Nevertheless, he might infuse the energy the Cowboys need to break their 30-year Super Bowl drought.
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