Odds Favor Urban Meyer as Top Candidate to Replace Jason Garrett as Cowboys Head Coach in 2020

• Sportsbooks are offering a series of prop bets relating to the future of Jason Garrett as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys
• Former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer is the +300 favorite to be the Cowboys’ next head coach
• The sportsbook lists the odds of Garrett coaching the Washington Redskins next season at +500

The future was supposed to be now for the Dallas Cowboys but, since it isn’t, head coach Jason Garrett’s future might not be with the Cowboys. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones sounded like he was calling out Garrett’s coaching acumen following Sunday’s 13-9 loss to the New England Patriots.

A series of prop bets relating to Garrett’s future with Dallas and the Cowboys’ next head coach have been released.

Oddsmakers are listing former Ohio State Buckeyes coach Meyer as the chalk to replace Garrett.

Odds to Coach the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1, 2020

Odds taken Nov. 25. Note that there’s only action on this wager if Garrett is no longer Dallas head coach.

Garrett owns an 83-63 (.568) record in charge of the Cowboys. But he’s a dismal 2-3 in the postseason, and has never advanced beyond the NFL Divisional playoff round.

Dallas is tied for second in Super Bowl wins (five) and appearances (eight) but the Cowboys haven’t played in a Super Bowl game since Jan. 30, 1994, when they beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17 in Super Bowl 30.

Could He Be An Urban (Meyer) Cowboy?

Anyone who’s followed the Cowboys since Jones took ownership of the franchise knows that he’s never been afraid to hire a college coach with no NFL head coaching experience. That’s why Meyer makes perfect sense.

Just got my first "Urban Meyer to the Cowboys" odds. Since USC appears intent on letting its opportunity pass, the idea of Meyer coaching Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott and not having to worry about "integrity" as a pro coach definitely makes some sense …

— Brady McCollough (@BradyMcCollough) November 25, 2019

In fact, the Cowboys enjoyed their greatest success under Jones’ ownership with former college coaches running the show.

Jimmy Johnson, hired from the Miami Hurricanes, won two Super Bowls between 1989-93. Former Oklahoma Sooners coach Barry Switzer followed Johnson from 1994-97 and also won a Super Bowl.

Jerry Jones had a pretty good run hiring former national champion college football coaches in Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer. Could go back to the well with Urban Meyer, no doubt about it.

— Brady McCollough (@BradyMcCollough) November 25, 2019

Meyer isn’t the only coach with NCAA ties among the top contenders in the odds. There’s also Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley (+500), Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh (+1200), Washington State’s Mike Leach (+200), and Washington’s Chris Petersen (+2500).

Even Alabama’s Nick Saban is on the board at +4000.

Pick: Urban Meyer (+300)

Romo An Intriguing Sleeper

One name that jumps off the page near the bottom of the list is former Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo at +15000.

There was strong speculation last offseason that Romo might move into the coaching ranks. His ability in the broadcast booth for CBS to quickly recognize formations and dissect plays prior to them unfolding on the field was impressive.

Is this guy available? @tonyromo #FireGarrett pic.twitter.com/uoYBRlSegI

— Michael W (@CoachWarrum) November 25, 2019

Does that translate into making him a great head coach? Who knows?

What is known is that Jones is someone who isn’t afraid to think outside the box. Or to try something radical and maybe even nutty.

It all depends upon your point of view.

Which Team Will Jason Garrett Coach in Week 1, 2020?

Both Jones and former Cowboys QB Troy Aikman blasted Garrett following Sunday’s loss to the Patriots. While not mentioning Garrett by name, Jones blamed fundamental errors the team made during the loss to the Patriots on coaching.

I cannot recall Jerry Jones being more openly critical of Jason Garrett and the coaching staff.Jones: "This is very frustrating. It's frustrating just to be reminded that some of the fundamentals of football and coaching were what beat us out there today."

— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) November 25, 2019

Aikman hammered Garrett for his play calling. He questioned why the Cowboys coach would opt for a 28-yard field goal when down 13-6 with only 6:08 left in the fourth quarter rather than trying for a tying touchdown.

Even with the field goal, Dallas was still going to need a TD if the Cowboys were able to stop the Patriots on the ensuing possession and get the ball back.

Troy Aikman is crushing Jason Garrett. Jerry listens to Troy. Garrett is hanging on by a very thin thread.

— Don Van Natta Jr. (@DVNJr) November 25, 2019

The 6-5 Cowboys are the best of a bad lot in the weak NFC East. They’re 0-4 against current playoff teams. If Dallas qualifies for postseason play, without a deep run – at least to the NFC Championship Game – Garrett’s fate is sealed.

As for Garrett coaching the Redskins next season, that’s just crazy talk. Try to imagine Tom Landry coaching in Washington, or George Allen or Joe Gibbs with the Cowboys star on their chest.

How about this nugget from @NFLResearch? #Cowboys HC Jason Garrett is 1 of 7 head coaches who has been with their current team since 2011. Everyone except Garrett has been to a Super Bowl with their current team. Garrett has never made it beyond the divisional round pic.twitter.com/ycxsUPnung

— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) November 25, 2019

It would be like Joe DiMaggio playing for the Red Sox, Bart Starr at QB for the Bears, or Larry Bird playing for the Lakers.

The smart play on both of these props is “no”.