Cowboys' next coach odds: Could Riley, Meyer be in play?

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Officially, Jason Garrett is still the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, much to the chagrin of an agonized fan base. Unofficially, one source told ESPN's Ed Werder on Thursday that Garrett's tenure was over - which was enough for oddsmakers to hang a whole new set of odds for his replacement.

On Monday, we ran through the possible coaching candidates for the Browns, Giants, and Panthers. Because of the Cowboys' reluctance to can Garrett early in the week, they've yet to schedule any interviews, which makes guessing their next hire a bit tougher. Still, his fate has been sealed long enough for speculation to run rampant.

Here are the odds for the Cowboys' gig, with a breakdown of five notable names.

Cowboys' next coach odds

Josh McDaniels (3-1)

On paper, this makes sense: McDaniels is an innovative offensive mind with a knack for grooming quarterbacks, which sounds like a better version of what Garrett was eight years ago. The Patriots offensive coordinator is also one of owner Jerry Jones' preferred candidates, per a November report from Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman.

Perhaps the Cowboys felt no rush to dump Garrett knowing that McDaniels - like any of the top coordinators - won't conduct interviews until after this week at the earliest. Still, McDaniels is too hot a name to lay short odds on him going to Dallas. Keep an eye on this, but don't pay the price.

Lincoln Riley (5-1)

This pairing has been floated for months, with Riley the hottest name in coaching and the Cowboys' gig seemingly the hottest available job in the NFL. Riley's ability to groom quarterbacks into enticing pro prospects boosts his appeal in the pass-happy NFL, and he'd certainly win the news cycle after years of Garrett criticism.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported in December that Cowboys' brass has a close relationship with Riley stemming from the coach's recruitment of Jones' grandson. There's clearly intrigue here, but it's a risky bet as to if Riley leaves Oklahoma for a big-league job.

Urban Meyer (6-1)

What's a Cowboys' coaching search article without a mention of Meyer, arguably the hottest name in the entire field? A bounty of reports suggests there's interest in Meyer from the Cowboys' end, though Meyer's health concerns seem like the biggest impediment.

That said, at 6-1, this might be the best value on the board. Meyer doesn't have NFL experience, but it's easy to forget that given the powerhouse programs he built at Florida and Ohio State. If he comes back to coaching, it's hard to see him saying no to Dallas.

Mike Zimmer (10-1)

I know what you're thinking: Doesn't Zimmer already have an NFL job? He's got a good gig in Minnesota, where his Vikings have consistently threatened for NFC contention during his tenure. But the defensive guru has ties to Dallas, where he got his first NFL chance in 1994 and coached until 2006, including seven seasons as the defensive coordinator.

His daughter still lives in the area, and he could join her if the Cowboys are interested, as Rapoport suggested earlier this week. Logistically, this might be the biggest long shot, but Zimmer checks every box: experience, pedigree, and in-house familiarity.

Dan Mullen (10-1)

Mullen is seemingly a less attractive college option than Riley, Meyer, or Matt Rhule. He has no ties to the Cowboys organization, and he's never coached in the NFL. So scratch his name off the list, right?

Not so fast. There's smoke here: Multiple ESPN reporters have floated Mullen's name as a dark horse, an idea that other outlets put forth late last season, too. His relationship with quarterback Dak Prescott, who played under Mullen at Mississippi State, could make him a uniquely attractive candidate if he decides to bolt from Florida.

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.