Cowboys Interview Robert Saleh for Head Coach Position Amid Coaching Search

FRISCO, Texas – The Dallas Cowboys have completed their second head coaching interview since parting ways with Mike McCarthy, with former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh meeting with team officials on Saturday. Saleh, 45, is among several candidates vying for the coveted position as the Cowboys seek to rebuild after a disappointing 7-10 season.

Saleh, who most recently served as an offensive consultant for the Green Bay Packers after being fired by the Jets in October, brings a wealth of defensive expertise to the table. During his tenure with the Jets, he compiled a 20-36 record over three full seasons and five games. Despite the team’s struggles, Saleh’s defenses consistently ranked among the league’s best, finishing in the top five in yards allowed per game in his final two seasons.

The Cowboys are not the only team interested in Saleh’s services. He has already interviewed with the Jacksonville Jaguars and is expected to meet with the Las Vegas Raiders. Additionally, Saleh recently interviewed for the defensive coordinator position with the San Francisco 49ers, where he previously served under head coach Kyle Shanahan from 2017 to 2020.

Prior to his firing, Saleh’s Jets defense ranked first in yards per play, second in yards per pass attempt, and fifth in points allowed per game through the first five weeks of the 2024 season. His defensive acumen was instrumental in the 49ers’ run to Super Bowl LIV in 2019, where they boasted the league’s top passing defense and second-ranked total defense.

Saleh’s NFL career spans nearly two decades, beginning as a defensive intern with the Houston Texans in 2005. He later worked with the Seattle Seahawks, where he was part of the staff that won Super Bowl XLVIII in 2013, and served as linebackers coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars before joining the 49ers.

The Cowboys’ coaching search continues to gain momentum, with Seattle Seahawks assistant head coach Leslie Frazier scheduled for an interview on Monday. Meanwhile, speculation surrounding Colorado head coach Deion Sanders‘ potential candidacy has cooled. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday that no formal interview is expected between Sanders and the Cowboys, despite discussions between Sanders and team owner Jerry Jones.

Jones, who also serves as the team’s general manager, has a history of taking a hands-on approach, which has occasionally led to friction with previous head coaches. The Cowboys’ roster, led by stars Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons, remains attractive to prospective candidates, though the team’s depth issues were exposed during the 2024 season.

As the search unfolds, the Cowboys are weighing their options carefully. Whether Saleh, Frazier, or another candidate ultimately lands the job, the decision will shape the future of one of the NFL’s most storied franchises.