Dallas Cowboys coaching search: Ian Rapoport reveals potential timeline for hire, plan to fulfill Rooney Rule

Through the first week of their coaching search, the Dallas Cowboys’ list of interviews is coming into focus. But as NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport pointed out, they will be Rooney Rule compliant by Monday night.

Rapoport confirmed the Cowboys interviewed Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore virtually on Friday and have an in-person conversation with former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh on Saturday. He also confirmed colleague Tom Pelissero’s report Leslie Frazier will interview in-person on Monday.

By bringing Saleh and Frazier in, the Cowboys will meet the Rooney Rule requirements of two in-person interviews with minority candidates. However, Rapoport said that doesn’t mean Dallas will work quickly to find a replacement for Mike McCarthy, even as speculation grows around Deion Sanders as a candidate.

“Let’s start talking about the Dallas Cowboys and where they are in the search,” Rapoport said on The Insiders Friday evening. “Obviously, they interviewed Kellen Moore today. That was a virtual interview. Kellen Moore considered to be a top candidate with the Dallas Cowboys. Know him well, former offensive coordinator there. They have Robert Saleh in-person there tomorrow, and as you reported, Tom [Pelissero], Leslie Frazier in-person on Monday – which would mean, theoretically, after Monday, the Cowboys could hire someone if they wanted.

“My sense, though, this is going to take some time. They do believe that they don’t have to be in a rush. It could be more of a methodical search. Might even be the last one done. We will see.”

Saleh and Frazier both have head-coaching experience with the Jets and Minnesota Vikings, respectfully. But Moore is widely viewed as a contender given his connections to the Cowboys, both as a player and as the offensive coordinator under McCarthy from 2019-22. He then went on to work for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023 and the Eagles this season, helping them to the NFC Divisional Round of the playoffs.

Then, of course, there’s Sanders. He just wrapped up his second season as the head coach at Colorado, taking the program from a 4-8 record in 2023 to 9-4 in 2024. It was quite the turnaround, and Coach Prime confirmed he spoke with Jones about the Cowboys’ opening during a conversation with ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He’s emerging as a hot name around the rumor mill as conversations continue in Boulder.