Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones is reportedly seeking to reconnect with the team’s glory days from the 1990s following the dismissal of head coach Mike McCarthy. In a surprising turn of events, he has reached out to former Cowboys Super Bowl champion cornerback and current Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders regarding the team’s open head-coaching position.
While no formal interview has been set, Sanders expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of discussing the role with Jones. “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, who was part of the Cowboys’ last Super Bowl-winning team in 1995, enjoyed significant success during his five years in Dallas, earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro distinctions. Notably, Mike Zimmer, the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator for the upcoming season, has remained a close friend of Sanders, having served as his defensive backs coach back in the 1990s.
Despite the excitement surrounding a potential reunion, Zimmer commented in November that he believed Sanders was content at Colorado, emphasizing their weekly discussions and his observations of Sanders’ success with the Buffaloes. Sanders himself appeared to reaffirm his commitment to Colorado shortly thereafter, stating, “I have a kickstand down” with the program.
However, Sanders has indicated that the only circumstance under which he would consider leaving Colorado for an NFL coaching position would be to coach his sons. His son Shedeur Sanders is projected to be one of the top quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft, while another son, Shilo Sanders, aims to enhance his draft position at the East-West Shrine Bowl.
This stipulation complicates matters for the Cowboys, considering they possess the 12th overall pick in the 2025 draft—far from a position to select Shedeur. With Dak Prescott’s lengthy contract extension kicking in that same year, along with the significant cap hits associated with trades, the likelihood of Sanders taking the coaching job with the Cowboys appears slim.
In summary, while Jerry Jones is exploring options for a new head coach, the feasibility of Deion Sanders stepping into the role is hindered by his loyalty to Colorado and personal circumstances. Nonetheless, the dialogue could pave the way for future collaboration, and Jones’s outreach serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of the Cowboys’ 1990s success.