Cowboys' next coach odds: Urban Meyer tops list

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Jason Garrett's days as Dallas Cowboys head coach finally appear to be numbered.

The much-maligned coach was panned for opting for a field goal in the red zone while down seven points late in Sunday's game, a loss to New England that dropped the Cowboys' record to 6-5. Afterward, owner Jerry Jones - often Garrett's biggest supporter - was sharp in his criticism of the coaching staff, saying he "shouldn't be this frustrated" with a team this talented.

The loss was Garrett's fourth in as many tries this year against teams that currently own winning records, sparking the age-old debate about whether the 10th-year coach is holding back the Cowboys' loaded roster.

Garrett is 5-1 to lose his job before Week 1 of the 2020 season, and his odds to coach the Redskins next year (5-1) are only slightly longer than those to coach the Cowboys (3-1). And with a hot seat comes a short list.

Oddsmakers released a list of potential replacements late Sunday - some realistic, some ridiculous, including Jerry Jones himself. Outside of the top few names, it's mostly a list of B-list college coaches and NFL retreads, but a few names stand out as intriguing options should Garrett be kicked to the curb.

Here are the top betting options to replace Garrett, with a few noteworthy selections from the board:

Favorites

Urban Meyer (3-1)

Urban Meyer's name carries the most weight on this list of anyone outside of Nick Saban, and the Cowboys won three Super Bowls in the 1990s under former title-winning college coaches in Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer.

Is Meyer the guy? He's -120 to coach somewhere in 2020, and he's the favorite for nearly every job opening in college or the NFL. But don't forget his unceremonious exit at Ohio State, which included a three-game suspension for mishandling domestic abuse allegations involving an assistant coach.

Given the cloud surrounding Ezekiel Elliott just two years ago, the Cowboys may shy away from throwing their money at Meyer. The coach also may not take it, having retired in 2018 because of stress-related health concerns. The Dallas job isn't exactly stress free, and neither is laying short odds on a hire this volatile.

Lincoln Riley (5-1)

Meyer's the bigger name, but Riley is arguably the hottest coaching candidate in the college ranks and was generating buzz as a potential fit for the Cowboys even before this weekend. He wouldn't leave Oklahoma unless the job was too good to pass up (that's a no to Washington). With Dak Prescott, elite skill-position talent, an All-Pro offensive line, and a well-stocked defense, this could be that job.

Robert Saleh (5-1)

Saleh has the shortest odds of any NFL coordinator outside of Josh McDaniels, who's already flamed out as a head coach before and seems destined to replace Bill Belichick in New England. Jones likes offense, but installing the 49ers' defensive coordinator would make the most of Dallas' talented yet inconsistent defense - and it could restore some discipline and accountability for one of the league's most penalized teams.

Sean Payton (6-1)

The Cowboys have been flirting with Payton since he led the Saints to a Super Bowl in 2009-10, but the former Dallas assistant coach signed an extension this offseason that ties him to New Orleans through 2024. Stranger things have happened, but it would likely be too expensive for Jones to pry Payton out of the Big Easy.

Kris Richard (16-1)

Perhaps the quietest contender on this list, the Cowboys' charismatic assistant should be considered among the front-runners given his familiarity in the building and appeal as one of the NFL's bright young defensive minds. He helped shape Seattle's Legion of Boom and had an outsized role in guiding last year's stout defense.

Long shots

Dan Campbell (25-1)

The Saints' assistant head coach grew up as a Cowboys fan in Central Texas and spent three years with the team as a veteran leader at tight end, so the interest is surely there if the 'Boys come calling. Don't count him out at 25-1.

Gary Patterson (80-1)

Patterson is tied for the longest odds of any current coach, but he's revered as a top mind and leader in college and has spent two decades as a pillar in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He'd be a strong backyard hire and is an intriguing play at 80-1.

Tony Romo (150-1)

It's probably a pipe dream, but who doesn't want to see Romo on the sidelines for his old team, dialing up every play call? The hire would be lauded among Cowboy fans and maybe even the media, too, which is no small feat for a job this grand. If Garrett could turn his status as Cowboys quarterback into a head coaching job, why can't Romo?

Kellen Moore (off the board)

Inexplicably, Moore isn't listed on the board, even though he probably deserves more credit for the Cowboys' wins this year than Garrett does. The 31-year-old offensive coordinator has helped reinvent Dallas' offense and turn Prescott into a legitimate MVP contender, and his Cowboys-quarterback-turned-coordinator background is right up Jones' alley.

The biggest knock on Moore is his age and inexperience. But the Cowboys would be wise to lock him up before the buzz gets out of control, or else they may risk losing the hot-shot coordinator to another team.

C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.