The assistant of Washington Commander will be hired by the Cowboys as head coach, and it’s not Kliff Kingsbury.

The Dallas Cowboys’ New Head Coach: Washington Commanders’ Assistant to Lead America’s Team

The Dallas Cowboys are a franchise that has often been under the microscope, not just because of their storied history but because of their long-standing quest to return to Super Bowl glory. With the team having failed to reach the NFC Championship Game for nearly three decades, the pressure on the organization to find the right head coach to break the postseason drought has reached its peak. While the Cowboys have made several attempts to revamp their roster and coaching staff over the years, they’ve struggled to truly capture the right combination of leadership, strategy, and execution that could propel them back into championship contention.

Mike McCarthy’s tenure as head coach of the Cowboys has been marked by consistent regular-season success but frustrating playoff exits, making his future as head coach increasingly uncertain. With the 2025 NFL season approaching, Jerry Jones, the Cowboys’ owner, has made it clear that the team’s next head coach must bring a winning mentality and deliver results when it matters most. As the search for McCarthy’s successor begins, a surprising candidate has emerged: an assistant from the Washington Commanders, not Kliff Kingsbury, as many had initially speculated.

This article delves into why the Cowboys might turn to the Washington Commanders’ coaching staff for their next head coach and explores the attributes, history, and potential of this coach, whose rise to prominence has quietly garnered attention across the league. While Kingsbury’s name had been tossed around as a potential candidate, the focus has shifted toward someone who could bring fresh energy, new leadership, and an innovative approach to the Cowboys.

The Search for a New Leader

The Dallas Cowboys have had an extensive history of head coaches, each with varying levels of success and failure. Jerry Jones, who has been at the helm of the Cowboys since the team’s acquisition in 1989, has experienced a rollercoaster of emotions when it comes to choosing the right head coach. Some of the most notable names in Cowboys history include Tom Landry, Jimmy Johnson, Bill Parcells, and more recently, Jason Garrett and Mike McCarthy.

Landry, who led the Cowboys to two Super Bowl championships, is often regarded as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, but his tenure was followed by a stretch of mediocrity after his departure. Jimmy Johnson brought the Cowboys back to prominence in the 1990s, winning two Super Bowls, but the relationship with Jones deteriorated, leading to Johnson’s sudden exit. The Cowboys’ inability to return to championship glory after the 1990s has been an ongoing theme, and much of the blame has been placed on the inconsistency in leadership from the coaching staff.

McCarthy was brought in with high hopes after he won a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers in 2010. However, despite a couple of division titles, McCarthy has been unable to guide the Cowboys to a deep playoff run, and as 2025 approaches, his future has become uncertain. For Jones, the next head coach must be someone capable of winning at the highest level, navigating the immense pressure, and motivating a star-studded roster to break through and finally capture another Lombardi Trophy.

After McCarthy’s departure, rumors swirled around several names, with former Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury often mentioned as a potential candidate. Kingsbury, known for his offensive prowess and background in developing quarterbacks, seemed like a natural fit for the Cowboys. However, the choice to look elsewhere in the league has taken a surprising turn, with reports indicating that Jones and his front office are eyeing an assistant coach from the Washington Commanders, a team with its own struggles but one that has shown signs of progress under a new regime.

The Washington Commanders’ Rising Star

While the Washington Commanders have had their share of struggles in recent seasons, one bright spot in the organization has been the performance of their coaching staff. The team’s shift toward a more structured and strategic approach under head coach Ron Rivera has breathed new life into the Commanders’ franchise. However, one assistant coach in particular has emerged as a rising star: Eric Bieniemy, the Commanders’ offensive coordinator.

Bieniemy’s name had been floating around as a potential head coach for several years. After a highly successful tenure as the offensive coordinator with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he played a crucial role in developing one of the NFL’s most potent offenses, Bieniemy became a hot commodity in coaching circles. Despite his success in Kansas City, Bieniemy had been repeatedly overlooked for head coaching positions, much to the surprise of many analysts and insiders.

In 2023, Bieniemy made the bold decision to leave Kansas City and accept the offensive coordinator position with the Washington Commanders. This move was seen as an opportunity for Bieniemy to prove himself as a head coach, outside of the shadow of Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. Bieniemy’s ability to call plays, manage an offense, and develop young quarterbacks would be crucial for his success in Washington. His decision to take on a new challenge in Washington was also viewed as a signal that he was ready for a head coaching job, and that it was only a matter of time before an opportunity came knocking.

Bieniemy’s time in Washington has been marked by impressive progress. While the Commanders’ record hasn’t been perfect, the offense has shown significant improvement under his leadership. Bieniemy’s playcalling has added a new dimension to Washington’s attack, and quarterback Sam Howell, who was drafted as a developmental project, has started to show signs of promise under Bieniemy’s tutelage. This improvement, despite the Commanders’ ongoing rebuild, has made Bieniemy one of the most intriguing head coach candidates in the NFL.

Why the Cowboys Are Interested

For the Cowboys, the decision to target Bieniemy instead of Kingsbury or other names is based on a multitude of factors. First, Bieniemy’s extensive experience working with star quarterbacks—most notably Patrick Mahomes—makes him an attractive candidate to work with Dak Prescott. Prescott, a talented but sometimes inconsistent quarterback, has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his career but has often struggled in high-pressure situations. Bieniemy’s ability to develop quarterbacks, particularly those with unique skill sets, could be exactly what Prescott needs to take his game to the next level.

Second, Bieniemy’s offensive philosophy aligns well with the Cowboys’ personnel. With a talented offensive line, a superstar running back in Tony Pollard, and a receiving corps that includes standout players like CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys’ offense is primed for success under an offensive-minded head coach. Bieniemy has shown that he can elevate offenses to elite status, and with a proven track record of success in Kansas City, he could bring that same energy to Dallas.

Moreover, Bieniemy’s leadership qualities make him a great fit for the Cowboys. Throughout his career, Bieniemy has developed a reputation as a fiery, passionate coach who demands accountability from his players. In a locker room full of high-profile athletes like Prescott and Micah Parsons, Bieniemy’s ability to establish discipline and set a clear direction for the team would be critical to maintaining harmony and pushing the Cowboys toward their ultimate goal of a Super Bowl victory.

The Potential Challenges

Of course, there are some challenges that come with hiring Bieniemy. While he has had significant success as an offensive coordinator, it remains to be seen how he will fare as a head coach. Bieniemy’s experience leading an entire team, managing both sides of the ball, and making crucial in-game decisions will be a key factor in his success or failure in Dallas. The transition from offensive coordinator to head coach is not always seamless, and many coordinators who excel in one role struggle to perform as head coaches.

Additionally, the Cowboys’ demanding and often high-pressure environment could prove to be a challenge for Bieniemy. Dallas is a franchise that is under constant scrutiny, with media attention and fan expectations ramped up to an extreme level. Bieniemy will need to adjust to this heightened spotlight and navigate the constant pressure that comes with being the head coach of “America’s Team.”

Finally, the Cowboys’ need for success in the postseason could further amplify the pressure on Bieniemy. While the regular season has often been kind to Dallas, their playoff struggles have continued to hinder their overall success. Bieniemy will need to prove that he can succeed in the postseason, where the margins between victory and defeat are razor-thin.