Could next Dallas coach have Tech connection?

The last time the Dallas Cowboys had a coaching search, they interviewed Marvin Lewis and Mike McCarthy. We all know how that went.

With McCarthy – Dallas' third-winningest coach of all time -- out after five seasons, the Cowboys are again taking resumes.

Here's a look at 10 possible coaching candidates with some wild cards:

1. Kliff Kingsbury

The Washington offensive coordinator probably needs to change his offense from the heavy Run-Pass-Option he uses with Jayden Daniels. Dak Prescott isn't that type of quarterback. However, Jerry Jones said on 105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM) that Kingsbury was a "friend," so it's quite possible he'll get an interview. Yet, the former Texas Tech quarterback's struggles at Arizona, 28-37-1 in four seasons, are concerning.

2. Aaron Glenn

Another hot coaching candidate might be the leader for New Orleans' opening. Glenn has all sorts of Texas ties. He's from Humble, he played at Texas A&M and for two seasons with the Cowboys. Perfect right? He's never been head coach, but that hasn't stopped the Cowboys before.

3. Ben Johnson

He's the hot name on the coaching market again and could have left for a head coaching job last year. He's stayed to help the Lions win a Super Bowl. What he's done with quarterback Jared Goff has earned him praise and he's utilized the talent assembled for him.

4. Pete Carroll

He might be the oldest of the group of interviewees at the tender age of 73. Who Carroll presents as an offensive coordinator could be the difference in getting the gig if seriously considered. He's won a Super Bowl and is 170-120-1 as a head coach. His resume is strong. He sounds like the defensive coach version of McCarthy.

5. Kellen Moore

The Cowboys know him. He played and coached for this organization from 2015 until his departure as offensive coordinator in 2022. Some in the Cowboys' front office didn't believe Moore could command the room. After spending time with the Chargers and Eagles the last two seasons, it's worth seeing if that's changed the organization's view.

6. Brian Flores

If you want a Bill Belichick disciple who had some success, it's this man. Some would say he's a Rooney Rule interview, but he's more than that. As the Vikings defensive coordinator, his units finished 16th in total defense the last two seasons.

7. Robert Saleh

The Cowboys are familiar with his defenses in San Francisco. In his last two seasons with the 49ers, the defense finished in the top 10. He dealt with a dysfunctional situation with the New York Jets but the defenses were strong.

8. Doug Pederson

In five seasons with the Eagles, he won a Super Bowl, had three winning seasons and lost a power struggle with the front office that got him fired.

9. Anthony Lynn

The Washington running backs coach was the former head coach with the Chargers (33-31), coached the Cowboys' running backs in 2005-06, and is well respected across the league. Lynn is another Texan: Played at Celina and Texas Tech. A conversation on how he would change things would be vital.

10. The Wild Cards

Jason Witten: He's had success in high school. You could hire him as offensive coordinator/assistant head coach with the objective of taking over in the future if you tag him with, say, Pete Carroll.

Deion Sanders: He would only coach in the NFL if it's with his sons. The Cowboys are not drafting quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who will be gone by the No. 12 pick. Yet Deion. Jerry. Dak. Micah. Shedeur. Give them their own network. According to an ESPN report on Monday, Deion Sanders has already spoken with Jerry Jones about the job.

Ron Rivera: He's interviewed for the Cowboys' vacancies as head coach and defensive coordinator in the past. Will he get another chance to interview?

Lincoln Riley: So the buyout for the USC coach and Muleshoe native is an estimated $88 million. Whoever writes that check, a Super Bowl title is expected within two years.

Steve Sarkisian: The Texas coach has a buyout at $6 million, according to USA Today's salary database of college coaches. Sark was the OC of the Falcons (2017-18) so coming back to the NFL isn't an issue.