The Dallas Cowboys and University of Colorado head coach Deion Sanders have mutual interest in the Hall of Fame cornerback potentially filling the team's vacant head coaching position, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday night.
Earlier Monday, the Cowboys announced Mike McCarthy would not re-sign with the club.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones released a statement wishing McCarthy well and adding that the search for the next head coach would begin "immediately."
It seems as though "Coach Prime," is a candidate in said search.
However, there is no interview scheduled at the moment. Rapoport reported that Sanders has some interest in the opening and the Cowboys have "at least some interest, as well." He added the sides will stay in contact, though Sanders, a former Cowboys player, has been in contact with Jones for years.
One of the greatest cover corners in NFL history, Sanders was an eight-time Pro Bowler who played for the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Cowboys, Washington and the Baltimore Ravens from 1989 through 2005 (he was retired from 2001-2003). Sanders won a Super Bowl apiece with the 49ers and Cowboys.
Sanders was the Jackson State head coach from 2020-2022 and began his current coaching tenure with the Buffalos in 2023. Over the past two seasons, he's led Colorado to a combined 13-12 record.
In 2024, Colorado went 9-4 and produced Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Deion's son. Both Hunter and Sanders are projected to be 2025 NFL Draft first-round picks.
Sanders has no prior NFL coaching experience, but he played a vital role in the Cowboys' last Super Bowl win in the 1995 season.
Perhaps the time is now for Prime to run it back with Dallas and make his first foray into the NFL coaching ranks. Of course, he'll have to secure an interview first, but for now the Cowboys are moving the needle as their coaching searching begins.
