THE Dallas Cowboys are currently in shambles and are closer to the number one pick in the draft than the playoffs.

The team needs a change in leadership with Mike McCarthy failing to reduce penalties, improve the running game, and make sound decisions overall.

The smart move for the Cowboys would be to fire McCarthy now and begin the search for their next head coach. Here are seven head coaching candidates the Cowboys should consider.

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The idea of ​​recruiting one of the most creative minds in football is even more appealing when you consider that the Cowboys would move him away from his current role with division rival Washington.

Kliff Kingsbury’s first stint as head coach in the NFL with the Cardinals wasn’t particularly successful, yielding just one playoff appearance in four seasons, but it’s fair to say he didn’t have not the talent needed to fully realize his vision.

Kingsbury would bring the Cowboys an offensive approach more in line with today’s NFL, potentially unlocking the Cowboys’ offense.

Although Mike Vrabel did not end his tenure with the Tennessee Titans on a high note, he still managed to lead the team to an AFC Championship appearance, something the Cowboys did not achieve since 1996.

Vrabel’s 54-45 record at Tennessee is impressive, especially considering the limited talent surrounding Derrick Henry and Jeffery Simmons.

He knows how to win with a good running game, and his hiring, along with the drafting of Ashton Jeanty, could be the boost the Cowboys need to get back into the playoff race.

Aaron Glenn has transformed the Detroit Lions defense into one of the best run-stopping units in the NFL. Under Mike McCarthy, the Cowboys’ biggest weakness has always been their inability to stop the run, making Glenn an intriguing candidate.

He interviewed for several head coaching positions last season, but did not land a role. Given the Lions’ success this year, it’s likely his window of availability as head coach closes quickly, as he’s almost certain to land a head coaching job this offseason.

Ben Johnson is probably the most expensive and sought-after option for a head coach, making him an unlikely candidate for the Cowboys.

Even if Jerry Jones was assured that hiring Johnson for $15 million a year would guarantee at least one Super Bowl, it’s unclear whether Jones would take the plunge, given how little he paid his former coaches .

It’s been a long time since Jones said, “There’s no substitute for winning,” and his focus now seems more focused on annual revenue than winning championships.

MORE: Why the Dallas Cowboys should avoid Ben Johnson as a HC candidate

Given the Jets’ recent performance, it’s fair to say that Robert Saleh’s tenure with the team has been more successful than it seemed. Although he was fired after a 2-3 start, the Jets went 1-4 without him, suggesting he wasn’t the main problem.

Saleh would be a good fit for head coach and an even better defensive coordinator, bringing the fire the Cowboys need right now. However, to be successful in Dallas, he would need to be paired with a great offensive coordinator to make up for what he lacks on the offensive end.

MORE: Robert Saleh should be the Cowboys’ next move

The last time Deion Sanders moved to Dallas, the Cowboys won the Super Bowl. As a former player, he understands what it means to be a Dallas Cowboy, with all the media attention and high expectations that comes with it.

This experience makes him an ideal candidate for the role of head coach of the Cowboys. He has navigated the Dallas circus and emerged victorious, bringing the mindset and work ethic the team needs to succeed.

Although he would need strong coordinators to support him, Deion could be the leader that Cowboys players look up to and rally around.

Who better to lead the Cowboys than a coach who has won six Super Bowls? Although some believe the game has passed Bill Belichick by, it’s worth noting that he’s only six years removed from his last championship.

However, he remains an unlikely fit for Dallas, as Jerry Jones is unlikely to grant Belichick complete control of the roster.

Belichick has always been his own decision-maker and he would not accept a role in which he was a puppet. Ultimately, it would come down to Jones’ ability to put his own ego aside to bring in Belichick.

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