Why hiring Deion Sanders is a bad idea for the Cowboys

Throughout his college coaching career, which began at Jackson State, Sanders has repeatedly expressed no interest in coaching professionally.

"I don't have any desire or ambition to coach in the NFL," Sanders said in June 2023. (h/t Sports Illustrated)

"I have a problem with men getting their checks and not doing their jobs," he added. "I would be too tough as a coach in the NFL because I still have those old-school attributes."

Not only would Sanders potentially clash with NFL players, moving to the pros would also erase one of his best strengths as a head coach.

Sanders has proved to be one of college football's best recruiters, getting 2024 Heisman winner Travis Hunter, the No. 1 overall recruit of the 2022 class, to commit to Jackson State. Hunter became the first top high school recruit to join a historically Black college and university (HBCU).

Sanders wouldn't have that same edge in the pros.

Sanders is a huge fan of owner Jerry Jones.  "I love Jerry Jones. I tremendously love that whole family," he told Sports Illustrated's Mike Fisher in 2023. But how would these two massive egos coexist?

Would Sanders, who played for the Cowboys from 1995-99, be OK with Jones sitting out free agency like he did last offseason? If the team struggles, who gets the most blame?

History is also working against Sanders. After all, college coaches have a spotty track record when coaching in the NFL.

Nick Saban, Urban Mayer and Matt Rhule are among the successful college coaches who have tried (and failed) to capture the same magic in the pros.

There is no guarantee hiring Sanders would work, but it would undoubtedly produce headlines. If he gets the job, we'll know what's most important to Jones.