Cowboys predicted to name Super Bowl champion as new head coach

Aug 17, 2022; Costa Mesa, CA, USA; A Dallas Cowboys helmet with Oakley visor sits on the field during joint practice against the Los Angeles Chargers at Jack Hammett Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Even though it might feel like it happened a week ago, the Dallas Cowboys only just moved on from Mike McCarthy on Monday. 

On Wednesday, they lined up their first head coaching interview, with Robert Saleh expected to have a sit down with Jerry Jones and company. But if they’re after an experienced defensive mind, then the Cowboys may already have an internal solution who could become their next head coach.

Take it from Inside The Star’s Richard Paolinelli, who believes the “only one likely outcome” is for the Cowboys to promote Mike Zimmer from defensive coordinator to head coach. 

Yes, the same Zimmer who called plays for a defense that allowed the second-most points in the NFL last season. Yet, Paolinelli feels like naming Zimmer the new head coach could be the realistic outcome in Dallas. 

“I see only one likely outcome,” Paolinelli wrote. “The 10th Head Coach of the Dallas Cowboys will be Mike Zimmer. He’d keep the defense intact, which at least shows a lot of promise. But Zimmer would have to hit a home run at offensive coordinator.”

There’s no doubt that Zimmer has experience. Aside from spending two years coaching under Deion Sanders with the Jackson State University Tigers and University of Colorado Boulder Buffaloes, Zimmer has been coaching in the NFL since 1994.