Thread by @CharlesRobinson

A brief #Cowboys coaching search thread...

1. The coaching search interviews are 100-percent Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones driven. This process won't be broad "group think" by any means and it's ultimately going to come down to how candidates have fared answering questions for Jerry and Stephen.

2. Pliability on the coaching staff is going to be a plus for some candidates. If you're a guy like Mike McCarthy or Marvin Lewis, you may very well need to retain four offensive coaches: OC Kellen Moore, OL coach Marc Colombo, QBs coach Jon Kitna and RBs coach Gary Brown.

3. I think Mike McCarthy will be open to some discussion about his offensive staff if he has a real shot at the job. That can help him. It gets sticky, though, when it comes to the play-calling. If he retained Kellen Moore, who calls the plays? It's a key question.

4. Don't discount a head coach interview having side value. I think Marvin Lewis has a legitimate shot at HC, but if he lost out, there might be a DC opportunity in a different Dallas scenario. Think: Pairing Lewis as DC with a younger head coach (similar to McVay+Wade Phillips)

5. Last Thursday, a source insisted a Dallas "look-in" on #Saints' Sean Payton can't be discounted, even if it involved trade assets. Especially if New Orleans lost this weekend. I still feel like this would be the same old unrealistic visit to the Payton well, but here we are.

6. A reason why we're hearing HC names w/ significant NFL experience (McCarthy, Lewis, Payton, etc.) and less about Rhule, Riley & Meyer is that Jerry (and Jerry specifically) isn't big on another elongated "teaching" process like the last one w/ Garrett. Being proven will count.

7. One last note on Mike McCarthy: I've seen Jim Haslett connected to him by some as an assumed DC on his staff. From what I understand, that is not an accurate assumption. While Haslett could have a place on a McCarthy defensive staff, I don't think DC is a very likely spot.

8. After days of calls, I don't think the #DallasCowboys job is going to end up with someone whose resume is steeped in college. Matt Rhule, Lincoln Riley, Urban Meyer and Dan Mullen haven't been prioritized at the top. I think Jerry is driven to find NFL experience and win now.

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