Deion Sanders and the Dallas Cowboys: A Coaching What-If?

Jerry Jones’ Surprising Coaching Search When the Dallas Cowboys officially hired Brian Schottenheimer as their next head coach, it raised eyebrows across the NFL. Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones, however, remained confident in his decision.

In an interview with The Athletic’s NFL insider Dianna Russini at the NFL Honors, Jones explained his reasoning.

“I looked at 25 years of being on many staffs in the NFL,” Jones said. “I looked at sitting around that dinner table with his daddy, Marty Schottenheimer, and I know what osmosis does, and it doesn’t fall far from the tree. What an opportunity to get a man, a coach coming out of the chute for his first time with all the fire that goes with that.”

Jones acknowledged the risk of hiring a first-time head coach but emphasized that risks are necessary to succeed in the NFL.

The Familiarity Factor: Why Schottenheimer? While Schottenheimer is stepping into a new role, he is no stranger to the Cowboys. Having served as the team’s offensive coordinator for the past two seasons, he played a pivotal role in unlocking the team’s offensive potential. Under his leadership, Dallas averaged a league-best 29.9 points per game, and key players like quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb had career-best seasons.

Despite this success, the Cowboys faltered in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, and the following season saw a significant decline. The loss of key players in free agency and Prescott’s hamstring injury, which sidelined him for the remainder of the regular season, contributed to the team’s struggles. The offensive production dropped to 20.6 points per game, raising questions about whether Dallas should have explored other coaching options.

Would Deion Sanders Have Been a Better Fit? One of the most intriguing possibilities during Jones’ coaching search was Deion Sanders. The Hall of Fame cornerback and former Cowboys star has made waves in the college coaching scene, turning Jackson State into a powerhouse before taking over at Colorado.

Sanders recently revealed in an interview with Rich Eisen that he had discussions with Jones about the Cowboys’ coaching job. While the talks were more philosophical than concrete negotiations, it sparked speculation about what a “Coach Prime” era in Dallas might have looked like.

Sanders’ charismatic leadership, deep understanding of the game, and ability to connect with players could have made him a compelling choice. His ability to revitalize struggling programs suggests he might have brought fresh energy to the Cowboys.

The Pressure Is On in Dallas At the end of the day, Jerry Jones’ influence on the Cowboys remains as strong as ever. If Schottenheimer succeeds, Jones will be hailed as a visionary. But if the decision backfires, criticism will be swift and relentless.

For now, the Cowboys are all-in on Schottenheimer. But with a figure as electrifying as Deion Sanders in the conversation, one can’t help but wonder: Did the Cowboys miss a golden opportunity?