The Dallas Cowboys are expected to conduct a wide-ranging search for their next coach after such an unceremonious end to the Mike McCarthy era. That search is beginning with a former head coach in Robert Saleh, who is looking for a second chance to prove he can lead a team.
Saleh was fired by the New York Jets midway through his fourth season. Considering all of the Woody Johnson-induced craziness behind the scenes, the performance of the team after he was fired, and how beloved he was by his players, many believe he got a raw deal.
Saleh drew praise from within the Jets and around the league for his defensive acumen. If the Cowboys, who traditionally value past head coaching experience when trying to fill an opening, want a defensive mastermind on their squad, Saleh might be the best available option.
According to Ian Rapoport, the Cowboys are expected to interview Saleh for their vacant head coaching role. This would be the first confirmed interview after some ceaseless Deion Sanders buzz early in the process.
Cowboys expected to interview Robert Saleh for head coach job
Saleh went 20-36 as Jets head coach, failing to make the playoffs. However, when you only get five full games with Rodgers and 34 with Zach Wilson, what was he supposed to do? Saleh built the Jets into a defense that ranked first in EPA per play and third in success rate since the start of the 2022 season, and they fell to 28th in that statistic in 2024 after he was fired.
On one hand, Saleh would have a fully-formed Dak Prescott, which could allow him to focus almost entirely on defense and leadership. Saleh’s work with Sauce Gardner could be just what Trevon Diggs needs, and Micah Parsons could be unleashed as a pass rusher in his scheme.
On the other, Saleh’s inability to put together a quality offensive coaching staff was perhaps his biggest mistake as Jets head coach. Saleh had yet to put together a winning season with New York, which could lead many to wonder if he is better served as a Steve Spagnuolo-type who crushes defense, yet fails when overseeing everything.
The Cowboys will need to act fast if they want Saleh, as there is seemingly a 100% guaranteed chance of him taking a defensive coordinator job if none of his head coach interviews lead to anything. Saleh seems like a perfect candidate to get it right with a second chance, and Dallas may be a good spot for him.
