Jerry Jones' phone call with Deion Sanders was thought to be about interest in the Dallas Cowboys job, but was it?

Unlike NFL teams that have to follow protocols to interview current NFL coaches, there is no such red tape to navigate when a franchise wants to chat with a college coach. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones could have Deion over to The Star, or a Starbucks, and that’s an interview.

Deion Sanders is the first name to pop up in the Cowboys' coaching search. But these roadblocks could stand in the way of his candidacy.

In 2023, Colorado coach Deion Sanders slammed the door on coaching in the NFL, saying “ I would never do that .” More recently, he said he’d only do the thing he said he’d never do if he’s coaching his sons. Now, there’s a chance he’ll be coaching in the NFL, without coaching one or both of his sons.

I’m not giving up my fight. You’re gonna ride by here again in another year or two if this thing don’t work out again, and my song will still be singing like a young Diana Ross: Deion! All the way.'' - Michael Irvin on the Cowboys not hiring coach Sanders.

On Friday, the Dallas Cowboys promoted offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to head coach, replacing Mike McCarthy. While the Cowboys ultimately hired internally, there was no shortage of rumors swirling about outside options vying for the job.

After weeks of speculation and prognostication, Deion Sanders was not hired to be the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. The former Jackson State and current Colorado head coach would have become the first-ever former HBCU coach to take over an NFL franchise.