The Dallas Cowboys and coach Mike McCarthy parting ways on Monday came as somewhat of a surprise given team owner and general manager Jerry Jones' final words about McCarthy at the conclusion of the 2024 regular season.

According to a report, former star tight end Jason Witten is a favorite to take over as the next Dallas Cowboys' head coach.

Witten's success in football isn't just what he did in Dallas. As Ware mentioned, Witten is the head coach of Liberty Christian School in Argyle, Texas. Witten has led Liberty Christian to back-to-back state championships, including the school's first ever undefeated season in 2023.

Armed with a strong roster led by top talent at quarterback ( Dak Prescott ), wide receiver ( CeeDee Lamb ), edge rusher ( Micah Parsons) and cornerback ( DaRon Bland ), Dallas should be able to attract a top coaching candidate. But things are never simple with the Cowboys, because Jerry Jones doesn't operate the way other owners operate.

The Cowboys have been linked as a possibility for Jason Witten to take the head coaching job. But was there a role already being discussed?

Jerry Jones had high praise for Jason Witten as a coach, making him someone to watch as the Dallas Cowboys search for Mike McCarthy’s replacement.

Like other ex-Cowboys like Deion Sanders, Aaron Glenn and Kellen Moore, Jason Witten does check a great number of Jerry Jones boxes.

With Mike McCarthy out, these names are among the ones to watch as candidates to be the next Cowboys’ head coach. Who else could be considered?

Deion Sanders and Jason Witten are two of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones’ former — and favorite — players, and both have been floated as potential replacements for coach Mike McCarthy.

Tashard Choice and DeMarco Murray both became college RB coaches after the NFL. Now they could vie for the same staff job in Dallas.

Moore, undrafted out of Boise State, played for the Cowboys from 2015 to 2017 before transitioning into the team's quarterbacks coach in 2018. He was then given the OC responsibilities from 2019 to 2022 and was a holdover from Jason Garrett's staff to McCarthy's.