Only Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, has the unique ability to provide a current head coach with job security while simultaneously keeping the possibility of a change open. This situation has sparked rumors suggesting that Jones might pursue high-profile coaches such as Jim Harbaugh from the Michigan Wolverines or Bill Belichick from the New England Patriots in the upcoming offseason.
In his recent weekly radio show with 105.3 The Fan, Jones seemed surprised that the security of Mike McCarthy’s coaching position is a topic of discussion. However, just a few days earlier, Jones mentioned that the Cowboys would evaluate McCarthy’s status on a game-by-game basis, especially concerning the postseason. It is challenging to envision the Cowboys parting ways with McCarthy after three consecutive seasons with 12 regular-season wins.
If the Cowboys experience another early playoff exit, whether justified or not, it will intensify speculation about McCarthy’s future. In an article titled “Ideal Head Coaching Fits for Cowboys If They Lose in NFL Playoffs, Fire Mike McCarthy,” Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox argues why Jim Harbaugh could be a prime candidate if the Cowboys decide to make a surprising move with McCarthy.
“Could Dallas be one of those teams [interested in Harbaugh]? It’s difficult to believe otherwise. Harbaugh is about to play for one championship, and he wasted little time getting the same opportunity the last time he was in the NFL,” Knox wrote on January 8, 2024.
“Harbaugh reached the NFC title game in his first season as the 49ers’ head coach and made it to the Super Bowl the following year. If Jones wants a head coach who has proved he can yield fast results, Harbaugh is his ideal target.
“… It’s not hard to envision Jones swooping in and making a play for arguably this year’s hottest coaching candidate.”
Michigan Football’s Jim Harbaugh Has a 10-Year, $125 Million Contract Offer
Should Jerry Jones decide to pursue Jim Harbaugh, it would come at a considerable cost for the Cowboys owner. According to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report, Harbaugh could command an average annual salary of $15 million in the NFL, placing him in the same salary range as Bill Belichick, who earns $20 million annually.
Adding to the complexity, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport revealed that Harbaugh has a standing contract extension offer from the University of Michigan. The offer entails a 10-year, $125 million contract, making him one of the highest-paid college football coaches. However, there’s a significant caveat related to the NFL.
In a December 24 article titled “Jim Harbaugh weighing contract offer from Michigan that includes no-NFL clause for 2024,” Rapoport explained, “Sources say Harbaugh, whose current deal runs through 2026, received an offer from Michigan for a 10-year, $125-million contract extension that would make him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football. Yet there is a caveat, and it’s NFL-related.”
“If he signed the deal — which he has not yet done — Harbaugh would agree not to entertain or accept an NFL job for the 2024 season. The NFL clause would be one season only, but that’s apparently been enough to drag out the process. Michigan has also offered Harbaugh a far shorter deal worth about $11 million per year, sources say.”
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Cowboys Rumors: Does Jim Harbaugh Represent an Upgrade Over Mike McCarthy?
According to a report by The Athletic’s Dianna Russini on January 6, there’s speculation that Jerry Jones might contemplate a coaching change if the Dallas Cowboys face challenges in the postseason. However, it seems unlikely for the Cowboys to make such a move unless presented with a rare opportunity to secure a coach of the caliber of Jim Harbaugh or Bill Belichick.
The question arises as to whether Harbaugh would be a substantial improvement over McCarthy. While McCarthy holds the advantage of having a Super Bowl ring, Harbaugh’s coaching record with the San Francisco 49ers is impressive, with a 44-19-1 record over four seasons, including a Super Bowl appearance in the 2012 season.
The potential for a lengthy playoff run by the Cowboys could play a crucial role in quelling discussions about McCarthy’s future. A successful postseason performance would likely overshadow any uncertainties and reinforce McCarthy’s position as the head coach, making the need for a coaching change less imminent.