FRISCO – We have previously expressed our belief that if Mike McCarthy is not renewed for 2025, the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys should adopt a “Belichickian” approach, embodying a strict, authoritative leadership style.
Our rationale is that under owner Jerry Jones, the Cowboys have become quite a spectacle, and they don’t need more distractions. Hiring someone who commands respect and values discipline and accountability could fill a significant gap.
With Bill Belichick potentially reconsidering his options and possibly favoring North Carolina over Dallas, Mike Vrabel—one of his knowledgeable former players—has moved up our list of candidates. Vrabel, who played under Belichick in New England, became the head coach in Tennessee in 2018, leading the Titans to four consecutive winning seasons and reaching the AFC Championship Game. However, he was let go last season after disagreements with then-first-year GM Ran Carthon.
Would Vrabel be a good fit at The Star? Given Dallas’s need for a strong disciplinarian, that seems plausible. However, it also depends on what Vrabel desires for his next role.
Recently, ESPN’s New York Jets insider Rich Cimini noted that “Many people believe Vrabel wouldn’t even consider the Jets because … he’s likely to consult his mentor Bill Belichick for advice on the Jets, and we know Belichick’s opinion.” Naturally, Belichick would likely have negative comments about the Jets, as Cimini pointed out. Despite this, Cimini added that Vrabel has indicated to friends he would consider the Jets if he approves of the new GM, stating he won’t base his decision on Belichick’s opinion, but rather on the situation itself.
So, how does this relate to Dallas? It seems that Vrabel, having previously clashed with his GMs, might prioritize compatibility with his next GM, even wanting a say in who that might be.
If Vrabel seeks that kind of influence, it would align with Belichick’s principles. In Dallas, he could find a way to work with owner and GM Jerry Jones, granting him significant authority. Contrary to what some may think, Jones’s head coaches typically wield considerable power.
However, in Dallas, the coach doesn’t choose the GM; the GM is chosen by Jerry himself, who famously stated, “There’s nobody that could (expletive) come in here … and be a GM any better than I can!”
Ultimately, should the Cowboys part ways with Mike McCarthy, Mike Vrabel could be a strong match for the role—if only GM Jerry Jones permits it.
