Dallas Cowboys Rumors: Head Coaching Candidates Include Urban Meyer, Lincoln Riley, NFL Assistants

The Dallas Cowboys are expected to move on from Jason Garrett and hire a new head coach for the 2020 season. The team was arguably the biggest disappointment of the 2019 NFL season, posting a .500 record and missing the playoffs with the league’s No.1 ranked offense.

There are plenty of rumors regarding who the Cowboys might hire. The head coaching search will likely be an extensive one that includes college head coaches and assistant NFL coaches.

Here’s a look at five of the top candidates to replace Garrett in Dallas:

Lincoln Riley

There’s been speculation for a while that the Cowboys would target the Oklahoma head coach. Riley reportedly has a close relationship with the family of owner Jerry Jones. The 36-year-old has reached the College Football Playoff in all three seasons with the Sooners, leading one of the best offenses in the nation.

Urban Meyer

This would probably be the biggest splash the Cowboys could make, going after one of the most successful head coaches in recent college football history. Meyer has won three national championships and he put together an 83-9 record at Ohio State before stepping down a year ago. He’s indicated that Dallas is the one NFL job he might take, though the 55-year-old has publicly said he thinks he’s done coaching.

Matt Rhule

The Baylor head coach is being linked to just about every opening with the New York Giants looking like his most likely destination. According to The Dallas Morning News, Rhule has told his team that he will listen to NFL offers. Rhule turned down the New York Jets’ job a year ago. He’ll coach Baylor in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day.

Josh McDaniels

The New England Patriots’ offensive coordinator might be the most sought-after NFL assistant. He’s expected to be considered by the Giants and Cleveland Browns. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport noted that McDaniels might be intrigued by the chance to coach the Carolina Panthers. McDaniels agreed to become the Indianapolis’ Colts head coach two years ago before backing out and returning to New England.

Dan Campbell

Campbell isn’t as big of a name as the other candidates, but multiple insiders believe he has a chance to land the job. The 43-year-old has been with the New Orleans Saints as an assistant head coach and the tight ends coach since 2016. He went 5-7 as the Miami Dolphins’ interim head coach in 2015. Campbell was a Cowboys’ tight end from 2003-2005.