If Jerry Jones has made a list of possible coaching candidates for the Cowboys next season it is most certainly not a "short list", which it has often been reffered to as in the past. Here's a look at some of the names that are probably on that list:
~George Seifert - The top free agent in coaching. The former 49er has two Super Bowl rings as a head coach, and five overall as an assistant under Bill Walsh. Seifert also has the best winning percentage of any coach in NFL history. There have been rumors around the Dallas area that Seifert had bought a home in Dallas, but there is still no proof or truth behind those rumors. Seifert would certainly be a a great hire, and a press conference during Super Bowl week would put the Cowboys right back in the spotlight.
~Lou Holtz - The former Notre Dame head coach is close to Jerry Jones. They have ties that go back to Jones' playing days in Arkansas. Holtz was one of the "candidates" to replace Jimmy Johnson when he was fired as the Cowboys coach. Holtz made a visit to Valley Ranch last season and says he would not rule out the possibility of coaching again.
~Terry Donahue - Troy Aikman's college coach at UCLA has been a name that continues to pop up as a possiblity. Donahue remains close to Aikman and is still interested in returning to coaching. He says he is "flattered" to be mentioned as a candidate to be the next coach of the Cowboys, but insists he is not lobbying for the job.
~Jon Gruden - The 34 year old offensive coordinator of the Eagles is perhaps the next assistant to become a head coach in the NFL. The west coast "whiz kid" made the Eagles one of the most potent offensive teams in football with quarterbacks like Rodney Peete, Ty Detmer, and Bobby Hoying. What could he do with Troy Aikman?
~Rick Neuheisel - The head coach of Colorado was the quarterbacks coach for Troy Aikman at UCLA. Aikman and Neuheisel are still close friends and Aikman thinks highly of Neuheusel as a head coach. The 36 year old "golden boy" was the toast of the town in Colorado his first two seasons in Boulder. This year, however, the Buffs fell below .500 for the first time in the 90's and he has taken much of the blame.
~Steve Spurrier - The Florida Gators head man has always been a prime candidate for any NFL head coaching opening. Spurrier has a strong grasp of the pro offensive philosophy and has made the most of every quarterback that has come through his program. If Jones wants to hire a "big name" guy, Spurrier would certainly be a top candidate. That said, he remains a long shot.
~Gerry DiNardo - The pride of Louisiana State. DiNardo, who took over the weak LSU football program in 1995, has made the Tigers winners again. He has led them to two straight bowl wins and this season beat #1 rated Florida and blew out Notre Dame in the Independence Bowl. DiNardo is a winner and disciplinarian; two qualities high on Jerry Jones' list. His biggest downside is having no experiance in the NFL and not having much knowledge in running a pro offense.
~Butch Davis - The current coach of the Miami Hurricanes and former deffensive coordinator of the Cowboys is also a possibility. He was also a candidate to replace Johnson back in '94. Davis is a hard nosed player's coach, who is familiar with the Cowboys and the way Jerry Jones does things. Prior to taking the Miami job, Davis was one of the hot assistants rumored to be a future head coach in the NFL. The Hurricanes job, however, was a dream of his ever since he served as an assistant under Johnson in Miami during their National Championship days.
~Dave Campo - He has done wonders for the Cowboys defense the past two years. Although the talent has continuely been drained from this once deep group, Campo has made this unit one of the top two in the NFL the past two seasons. Should be a hot name around the league, but isn't.
~Joe Avezzano - Quite possibly the best Special Teams coach in the NFL. An excited sideline figure for the Cowboys since arriving with Jimmy Johnson in '89. A real long shot though.
~Larry Lacewell - The Cowboys scouting director is Jerry Jones' right hand man. He was a long time head coach before joining the Cowboys. A great teacher and evaluator of talent. Let's hope this is a real, real long shot.
~Dave Wannstedt - Under contract with the Chicago Bears and all indications are that he will return as the head coach despite his 4-12 season. Would be a great hire if Jones were to pry him away from the Bears by paying of the rest of his contract and giving Chicago a draft pick for their troubles. Wannstedt would probably bring over former Cowboys assistants and best friends Tony Wise (offensive line) and Bob Slowik (deffensive coordinator/linebackers).
~Norv Turner - He plans on returning to the Redskins and the Redskins intend on giving him another chance. A real long shot this season. But after four seasons without a single playoff apperance and late-season collapses the past two seasons, Turner will be on the hot seat if the 'Skins fail to make the playoffs next season. He is currently under contract through 2000.
There you have it, the "long list" of coaches Jerry Jones might have in mind as succsesors for Barry Switzer as the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.