Relationship With Jones Family Makes Lincoln Riley a Top Name for Cowboys Coaching Position

Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys have already made the decision not to can head coach Jason Garrett in the middle of the season, but that doesn't mean Jones isn't looking for better options across the football landscape. If/when Garrett gets the axe, Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley figures to be near the top of the list of potential replacements.

Jones already has a somewhat notable relationship with Riley, as the Sooners head coach tried to convince John Stephen Jones, a quarterback recruit and Jones' grandson, to come to Oklahoma. Ultimately, Jones decided on Arkansas, his grandpa's alma mater.

Riley has gone 35-5 during his tenure at Oklahoma, tutoring two Heisman winners in Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray while securing Jalen Hurts at least an invite to New York.

When Jones fired Tom Landry in 1988, he replaced him with Miami head coach Jimmy Johnson, and followed Johnson with former Sooners coach Barry Switzer. Both of them translated their college success to the pros and won championships. Could Riley follow in their footsteps?

Two of Dallas' most successful coaches came from the college ranks, one of whom dominated the sport in Norman, so hiring Riley would be a nice return to form for Jones as he mercifully ends the Garrett era.