Cowboys’ OC search takes turn for the worse as nightmare candidate enters the mix

The Dallas Cowboys have long been one of the most storied franchises in the NFL, and with each passing year, the stakes grow higher. After a promising 2024 season, the Cowboys entered the offseason with a clear mission: find the right offensive coordinator to take their offense to the next level. A team with a dynamic quarterback in Dak Prescott, one of the most electrifying running backs in Tony Pollard, and a wide receiving corps led by CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys have the pieces to contend for a Super Bowl. However, the decision to hire a new offensive coordinator was one of the most critical of the franchise’s recent history.

Initially, the Cowboys seemed to be making progress in their search for a new offensive coordinator, with various candidates floating around. Mike McCarthy, the head coach of the Cowboys, was reportedly focused on finding someone who could integrate a more creative offensive scheme while enhancing Dak Prescott’s game, taking advantage of the talent on the roster. However, a recent development has sent shockwaves through the organization: a nightmare candidate has entered the mix, complicating the search and raising concerns for the future direction of the team.

This nightmare candidate, whose name has made its way to the top of the Cowboys’ list, has sparked outrage and frustration among fans and analysts alike. While the candidate has an established track record in the NFL, their style, temperament, and philosophy seem to run counter to the direction the Cowboys had been hoping to go in.

The Search for the Right Fit

The Cowboys entered the offseason with a clear goal: they needed an offensive coordinator who could maximize the talent of Dak Prescott and the supporting cast. Prescott, who has shown flashes of brilliance over his career, has faced ups and downs, particularly with the team’s inconsistent performance in the postseason. To become true contenders, the Cowboys’ front office and coaching staff knew they had to find someone who could get the best out of Prescott and the other key pieces of the offense.

Initially, several names emerged as potential candidates, all of whom seemed like natural fits for the job. Coaches with diverse offensive backgrounds, innovative schemes, and an ability to relate to players quickly rose to the top of the list. Among those mentioned were Kellen Moore, who had previously been the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator, but also new names like Joe Brady and Ben McAdoo—both of whom had success at other stops in the NFL and were seen as capable of ushering in a new era of offensive production.

The Nightmare Candidate: The Dark Horse Who Could Derail Everything

Then, out of nowhere, a new name emerged—a candidate whose inclusion into the mix is being described as a nightmare scenario for the Cowboys’ future. Bobby Petrino, the controversial former head coach of the Atlanta Falcons and current Western Kentucky head coach, has reportedly been considered for the offensive coordinator role.

This news has left many fans and analysts scratching their heads and wondering if the Cowboys have truly lost their way. Petrino, known for his tumultuous tenure in the NFL and his often controversial decisions, is not a name that inspires confidence among the Cowboys’ fan base. Despite a long career that includes coaching stints in both college football and the NFL, Petrino’s reputation is riddled with issues that raise red flags for the Cowboys.

Petrino’s History: A Rollercoaster of Success and Scandal

Bobby Petrino’s career has been defined by extreme highs and lows, making him a polarizing figure in football circles. On one hand, he’s known as an offensive mind capable of developing high-powered, pass-heavy offenses. In his college coaching career, particularly at Louisville, Petrino built one of the most prolific offenses in the country. His ability to develop quarterbacks and implement creative passing schemes was widely praised.

However, it’s his time in the NFL, particularly his ill-fated stint with the Atlanta Falcons, that makes him a nightmare candidate for the Cowboys. Petrino’s 2007 season as the Falcons’ head coach remains one of the most disastrous in NFL history. After just 13 games, Petrino abruptly resigned from his position, walking away from a team in disarray. He left behind a letter to the team explaining his decision to leave for a college coaching opportunity, which made him appear unprofessional and left a bad taste in the mouths of players, fans, and executives alike.

What made Petrino’s resignation even more controversial was that he had left the team in the midst of a lost season, with no real explanation for why he would leave such a high-profile job. His decision to abandon his players in favor of returning to college football made him appear disloyal and reckless, and his departure was seen as a massive failure for the Falcons.

Since that time, Petrino’s career has been a constant back-and-forth between success and scandal. While he managed to find success at the college level, particularly with Louisville and Western Kentucky, his reputation never fully recovered in the NFL. NFL teams and executives were hesitant to give him another chance due to his lack of professionalism, and his time in the league is often seen as a cautionary tale of a talented coach who self-destructed when faced with adversity.

Why Petrino’s Hire Could Derail the Cowboys’ Offense

While Bobby Petrino’s offensive acumen is still respected by some, his checkered history makes him an incredibly risky hire. His short-lived tenure with the Atlanta Falcons was a disaster, and he left a lasting stain on his reputation that has never truly been erased. For the Cowboys, hiring Petrino would be a gamble with high stakes, and one that could easily backfire.

Character Concerns and Locker Room Chemistry

One of the most significant issues with bringing in Bobby Petrino is his history of alienating players. The manner in which he abruptly left the Falcons in 2007 speaks volumes about his character and ability to manage people. In the NFL, locker room chemistry and player trust in the coaching staff are crucial to success, and Petrino’s history of burning bridges with players could create a toxic atmosphere in the Cowboys’ locker room.

Players like Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Tony Pollard, and others are used to a professional, stable environment. McCarthy has built strong relationships with the players since taking over as head coach, and adding a personality like Petrino’s could disrupt the team’s chemistry. In a league where unity and trust are paramount, the Cowboys cannot afford to bring in a coach who might alienate key players or make them question the direction of the team.

Tactical Incompatibility

While Petrino is known for his offensive ingenuity, his approach is often centered around high-risk, high-reward passing schemes. The Cowboys have an established roster with Dak Prescott at quarterback, a reliable offensive line, and explosive skill players in the backfield and at wide receiver. Petrino’s fast-paced, pass-heavy system might not be a natural fit for this group. Prescott is capable of operating in a pro-style offense, and the Cowboys would be better suited to a more balanced offensive attack that takes advantage of the team’s strengths.

Petrino’s insistence on a pass-first, high-tempo offense could make the Cowboys’ offense too one-dimensional and predictable. The Cowboys need an offensive coordinator who can work within the team’s strengths, utilize their ground game, and make strategic use of play-action and short-to-intermediate passing. Petrino’s tendency to disregard balance could lead to breakdowns in play-calling, and ultimately, a less effective offense.

Potential for Further Disruptions

In addition to concerns about locker room chemistry and tactical fit, there are broader issues with hiring a coach like Petrino. His past failures—especially the manner in which he left Atlanta—indicate a coach who might not have the maturity and discipline needed to thrive in a high-stakes environment like Dallas. The Cowboys, with their championship aspirations, need stability at the coordinator position, and Petrino is far from a steadying influence.

If things start to go wrong under Petrino’s leadership, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the coach’s ego and lack of accountability undermine the team. A Cowboys offense under Petrino could quickly spiral, and that is a risk the team simply cannot afford to take.

The Fallout from Petrino’s Candidacy

The backlash from fans and analysts has already been swift. Cowboys supporters have expressed outrage at the mere idea of bringing in Petrino, and the move is being widely criticized as a step in the wrong direction. With so many other qualified candidates available—such as Joe Brady, Ben McAdoo, or even former Cowboys coordinator Kellen Moore—the decision to bring Petrino into the conversation feels like a massive misstep for an organization aiming to contend for a Super Bowl.

While it’s still early in the process and no official hire has been made, the mere idea of hiring Petrino has raised serious doubts about the Cowboys’ front office decision-making. With so much talent already in place, the offensive coordinator position could be the final piece to help the Cowboys reach their potential. However, if they choose Petrino, they risk undermining all of their hard work and setting back the team’s offensive development by several years.