Cowboys' Jerry Jones: Jason Witten Could Be NFL Coach, Reminds Me of Dan Campbell

Having previously allowed former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Jason Garrett to serve as head coach of the team for 10 years, Jerry Jones may have tipped his hand about another franchise legend who could be a replacement for Mike McCarthy if they make a change after this season.

During his Friday appearance on 105.3 The Fan's K & C Masterpiece show, Jones said former Cowboys tight end Jason Witten has what it takes to be a coach in the NFL and reminds him of Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell.

Even though Cowboys fans would certainly be dreaming of a big name—Bill Belichick or Deion Sanders, to name two—if they hire a new head coach after this season, that's never really been Jones' style for most of the last 30 years.

McCarthy, Garrett, Barry Switzer, Chan Gailey, Wade Phillips, Dave Campo were not necessarily regarded as strong personalities who would challenge Jones on his decisions.

The two big exceptions to that rule since Jones bought the franchise in 1989 were Jimmy Johnson and Bill Parcells. It took almost 30 years after Johnson left the Cowboys following the 1993 season for him to get inducted into the Ring of Honor due to their past issues over who deserved credit for the early-90s dynasty.

Parcells at least seemed to get along well with Jones during his four seasons as head coach from 2003 to '06.

Another problem with Cowboys fans expecting someone like Belichick is Jones has made a point of saying in the past that a retread coach never won a Super Bowl with his second team.

It should be pointed out Jones said that before it started happening seemingly every year. Coaches who have won at least one Super Bowl in their second stint as a head coach include Gary Kubiak (2015 Denver Broncos), Andy Reid (three times with the Kansas City Chiefs) and Bruce Arians (2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers).

Witten played 16 of his 17 seasons in the NFL with the Cowboys. He is the franchise's all-time leader in receptions (1,215), receiving yards (12,977) and ranks second in receiving touchdowns (72).

The 42-year-old does have coaching experience, as he is in his fourth season as a high school head coach at Liberty Christian School in Argyle, Texas. He went 26-10 in his first three seasons, including a TAPPS Division II state title in 2023.

Comparing anyone right now to Campbell is lofty praise because he has helped to completely shift the narrative around a Lions franchise that was a laughingstock for most of the past 70 years.

Perhaps Jones knows things about Witten that the general public doesn't, but it's hard to imagine a coach with no experience about the high-school level could have a Campbell-like impact right away if he moves to the NFL.