Jason Garrett enters the 2018 season on the hot seat for the Dallas Cowboys. If the Cowboys fail to make the playoffs under Garrett, the Cowboys are highly likely to fire Garrett and hire a new head coach. If that happens, who are the top Cowboys head coach candidates? The Cowboys Report with Tom Downey is here to take a look at 10 potential candidates the Cowboys could hire next year.
Not every possible coach made this list. There are numerous assistants who will draw interest next offseason from teams in need of a head coach. These are just 10 names to monitor for the Cowboys. And no, Tony Romo is not an option.
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Check out the complete list of candidates below and in the latest edition of the Dallas Cowboys Report with Tom Downey:
10.) Kris Richard (DBs, Cowboys)
Richard was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played for the Seahawks, Dolphins, and 49ers in his playing career. As a coach, he started at USC as a graduate assistant in 2008 and stayed there for two seasons. Richard worked his way up in the Seahawks organization from assistant defensive back's coach (2010), to cornerbacks coach (2011), to defensive backs coach (2012-14), and to defensive coordinator (2015-2017). Richard joined the Cowboys this offseason as the DBs coach.
9.) Dan Campbell (TEs, Saints)
Campbell has been coaching in the NFL since 2010 and slowly worked his way up the Dolphins coaching ladder serving as the interim head coach in 2015 where he had a 5-7 record. The last two seasons he has been the tight ends coach and assistant head coach for the Saints. Campbell played 10 seasons in the NFL, playing with the Cowboys for three seasons from 2003-2005.
8.) Jack Del Rio (Former HC, Raiders)
Del Rio was recently fired by the Oakland Raiders after three seasons leading the team to a 25-23 record during his tenure. He is the only coach since Jon Gruden left the Raiders for the Buccaneers in 2002. He has plenty of coaching experience being in the league since 1997. Del Rio was the head coach of the Jaguars from 2003- 2011. As a head coach, his record is 93-94 with a postseason record of 1-3. As a player, Del Rio played with the Cowboys from 1989-91.
7.) John Fox (Former HC, Bears)
If the Cowboys want a coach with plenty of coaching experience, Dallas may turn their attention to John Fox. Fox has been coaching since 1978. He has been coaching in the NFL since 1989 and has been a head coach since 2002. His head coaching record is 133-123 with eight playoff wins. The Bears fired Fox after three seasons in Chicago where the Bears finished last in the division all three seasons.
6.) Jim Bob Cooter (OC, Lions)
Cooter came to the Lions in 2014 as the teams' quarterbacks coach before he was promoted in Week 8 of the 2015 NFL season. Before that, he coached as an offensive assistant with the Denver Broncos and helped guide the Broncos offense to a 2013 Super Bowl appearance. Cooter is in his ninth NFL season and he could be the new face the Titans need calling the shots.
5.) Jim Schwartz (DC, Eagles)
Schwartz is 51 years old with a head coaching career record of 29-51. He spent his five head coaching seasons with the Detroit Lions and even though his record isn't great, he took a 0-16 Lions team and turned them into a 10-6 playoff team in just three seasons. While Schwartz's time didn't end that well, he has rehabbed his stock with the Eagles. The Philadelphia defense has been very impressive during his time, and it's been enough for Schwartz to garner interest from the Titans and Cardinals this past offseason.
4.) Brian Flores (LBs, Patriots)
Flores was rumored to be a candidate for the Arizona Cardinals head coaching job, so don't be surprised to see him rumored to the Cowboys Flores is young at 36 years old, but is regarded as one of the best young defensive minds in the NFL. Belichick wants to hire someone he can trust, and he has served as a coach with the Patriots since 2004. He served as scouting assistant, pro scout, special teams assistant, assistant offense and special teams, defensive assistant, safeties coach, and linebackers coach.
3.) Matt LaFleur (OC, Titans)
LaFleur has been coaching since 2003 bouncing from college football to the NFL. His recent success as the Falcons quarterback coach in 2015-16, Rams OC in 2017 led him to his new job with the Titans in 2018 as their OC. LaFleur is a young guy who could be one of the smartest offensive minds in the league at a young age.
2.) John DeFilippo (OC, Vikings)
John DeFilippo generated a ton of buzz this offseason, which lead to him getting the job as the Vikings OC. DeFilippo has OC experience, although it came with the Browns. But he gets some credit for the play of Carson Wentz, Nick Foles, and the Eagles Super Bowl winning offense.
1.) Sean Payton (HC, Saints)
Yes, Sean Payton. Drew Brees won't play forever and Payton may too join the Cowboys if Garrett is fired. Payton joined Bill Parcells and the Cowboys as an assistant coach and quarterbacks coach in 2003. Payton has been with the Saints since 2006, where he won a Super Bowl in 2009.
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