Dallas Cowboys finally looking at Lincoln Riley as potential head coach

The Dallas Cowboys have been rumored to be interested in Lincoln Riley since last season. Now, reports suggest they’re finally checking ‘the temperature’.

Jason Garrett remains in denial that his days with the Dallas Cowboys are over. He continues to show up to work but the team seems to have completely moved on. In fact, despite no official word that Garrett has been relieved of his head coaching duties, the Cowboys are already meeting with and considering potential replacements.

Not only have they already interviewed Mike McCarthy and Marvin Lewis for Garrett’s position — which comes open when his contract expires on Jan. 14 — but they’re also ready to see if Lincoln Riley, the head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners, is ready to move to the next level.

R.J. Ochoa of Blogging the Boys said Ian Rapoport went on the NFL Network and said the Cowboys will “take the temperature” on Riley to see if his interest in coaching at the next level is real.

Last season as Garrett and the Cowboys were off to a slow start, the rumors started that there could be an eventual union between Riley and the Cowboys. Not only is there already a relationship between Riley and the Joneses, but Riley is also known as an offensive innovator, which is something Dallas sorely needs.

Back in 2007, Garrett was the Cowboys offensive coordinator and became a hot name in coaching. Fast-forward to now, and Garrett’s philosophies feel dated and his team’s play-calling has been painfully predictable.

Fans have been longing for change and Riley is about as stark a contrast as there is from Garrett and his staff.

Time will tell if the two sides come together, but fans can rest assured that the team is doing their due diligence on the guy that many believe can turn the team around.