Cowboys’ Jerry Jones ‘enamored’ with idea of hiring Deion Sanders
No one is more taken with the idea of a “Prime Time” sequel in Dallas than Jerry Jones.
With Jones now spearheading the search for the Cowboys’ next head coach after Mike McCarthy’s departure, buzz continues to build around franchise great and Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders, who “would almost certainly accept” the top job in Dallas if offered by the 82-year-old owner, according to a new report.
“I’m being told that he would almost certainly accept if Jerry Jones offers to make him the next Cowboys head coach, that those around him are encouraging him to pursue it and that Jones is enamored with the idea,” Cowboys insider Ed Werder reported Thursday.
Sanders, who just concluded his second season in Boulder, has been linked to the Cowboys’ opening after news broke Monday that McCarthy and the organization would not be extending their five-year pact.
McCarthy, a Super Bowl-winning coach with the Packers, posted a 49-35 record with the Cowboys across five seasons, which included three playoff berths.
Not long after McCarthy’s exit, Sanders told ESPN on Monday night he conversed with Jones about the vacancy, calling it an “intriguing” opportunity.
“To hear from Jerry Jones is truly delightful, and it’s intriguing,” Sanders said. “I love Jerry and believe in Jerry. After you hang up, and process it, and think about it, it’s intriguing. But I love Boulder and everything there is about our team, the coaches, our student body and the community.”
Sanders spent five seasons of his Hall of Fame career with the Cowboys, winning a Super Bowl with Dallas in Jan. 1996.
The Cowboys have one of six current openings this NFL hiring cycle, along with the Jets, Jaguars, Raiders, Saints and Bears. The Patriots hired franchise legend Mike Vrabel on Sunday.
As the NFL coaching cycle revved up earlier this month, Sanders was asked on “GMA3” about what it would take for the 57-year-old to leap to the pros.
“The only way I would consider is to coach my sons,” Sanders said of sons Shedeur, one of the top quarterback prospects of this year’s draft class, and Shilo, a safety.
Shedeur, 22, was spotted in Dallas on Tuesday when he took in a Mavericks game.
Sanders isn’t the only Cowboys alum who has been linked to the club’s vacancy.
Former tight end Jason Witten’s name has been floated, while the team also put in an interview request with its former offensive coordinator, current Eagles assistant Kellen Moore.
Ex-Jets coach Robert Saleh is also in the mix for the job.
