No one is more taken with the idea of a âPrime Timeâ sequel in Dallas than Jerry Jones.
With Jones now spearheading the search for the Cowboysâ next head coach after Mike McCarthyâs departure, buzz continues to build around franchise great and Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders, who âwould almost certainly acceptâ the top job in Dallas if offered by the 82-year-old owner, according to a new report.
âIâÂÂm being told that he would almost certainly accept if Jerry Jones offers to make him the next Cowboys head coach, that those around him are encouraging him to pursue it and that Jones is enamored with the idea,â Cowboys insider Ed Werder reported Thursday.
Sanders, who just concluded his second season in Boulder, has been linked to the Cowboysâ opening after news broke Monday that McCarthy and the organization would not be extending their five-year pact.
McCarthy, a Super Bowl-winning coach with the Packers, posted a 49-35 record with the Cowboys across five seasons, which included three playoff berths.
Not long after McCarthyâs exit, Sanders told ESPN on Monday night he conversed with Jones about the vacancy, calling it an âintriguingâ opportunity.
âTo hear from Jerry Jones is truly delightful, and itâÂÂs intriguing,â Sanders said. âÂÂI love Jerry and believe in Jerry. After you hang up, and process it, and think about it, itâÂÂs intriguing. But I love Boulder and everything there is about our team, the coaches, our student body and the community.âÂÂ
Sanders spent five seasons of his Hall of Fame career with the Cowboys, winning a Super Bowl with Dallas in Jan. 1996.
The Cowboys have one of six current openings this NFL hiring cycle, along with the Jets, Jaguars, Raiders, Saints and Bears. The Patriots hired franchise legend Mike Vrabel on Sunday.
As the NFL coaching cycle revved up earlier this month, Sanders was asked on âGMA3â about what it would take for the 57-year-old to leap to the pros.
âThe only way I would consider is to coach my sons,â Sanders said of sons Shedeur, one of the top quarterback prospects of this yearâs draft class, and Shilo, a safety.
Shedeur, 22, was spotted in Dallas on Tuesday when he took in a Mavericks game.
Sanders isnât the only Cowboys alum who has been linked to the clubâs vacancy.
Former тιԍнт end Jason Wittenâs name has been floated, while the team also put in an interview request with its former offensive coordinator, current Eagles ᴀssistant Kellen Moore.
Ex-Jets coach Robert Saleh is also in the mix for the job.