[Quality88]

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones hasn't changed his mind about firing coach Wade Phillips, but Mike Shanahan would be the leading candidate if he ever does make a move, according to team sources.


Shanahan's unexpected firing Tuesday by the Denver Broncos has prompted Jones to give "thought" to hiring Shanahan as the future Dallas coach -- even more so than Bill Cowher or Mike Holmgren -- but 2010 may be more timely than 2009, the sources said.

The story was first reported Saturday morning on ESPN's NFL Countdown show.
Jones and Shanahan have had a strong relationship and share a mutual admiration for Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. Shanahan offered Romo more money than Jones did in 2003 when Romo was an undrafted free agent out of Eastern Illinois, Shanahan's alma mater.
Also appealing to Jones, Shanahan would not carry an exorbitant price tag. Because his contract had three years remaining, Broncos owner Pat Bowlen owes Shanahan $20 million. Any owner who hires Shanahan could pay him a lower salary than the estimated $7 million a year he's owed and Bowlen would be obligated to pay the balance of that "offset."

[Sinatra711]

I am keeping my fingers crossed that it happens sooner rather than later.

[Bette]

Think I would rather see Cowher though, but Shanahan is definitely an improvement over Phillips

[Racer Duck]

it might be the way for Jones to have his cake and eat it too would be to hire Shanahan as Head Coach and move Phillips to Defensive Coord ('cause that's what he does best anyway.) and undercut the $7M / yr to something more reasonable with Denver carrying most of the freight.

[Bette]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

it might be the way for Jones to have his cake and eat it too would be to hire Shanahan as Head Coach and move Phillips to Defensive Coord ('cause that's what he does best anyway.) and undercut the $7M / yr to something more reasonable with Denver carrying most of the freight.

Losing Phillips as defensive coord would be bad. He knows his stuff there.

[bluucrayonz]

its not gonna happen. JJ said it himself.

[Bette]

Originally Posted by bluucrayonz

its not gonna happen. JJ said it himself.

JJ says lots of things. Most often just before he does the exact opposite.