Steve Mariucci Deion Sanders Photo Credit: NFL Network

Add Steve Mariucci to the chorus of sports media figures trying to will the Deion Sanders-Dallas Cowboys marriage into existence.

On NFL Network’s NFL GameDay Saturday, talk turned to the Cowboys’ search for a new head coach.

“Who should be the next Cowboys head coach?” host Rich Eisen asked.

Mariucci theatrically turned to the video board behind him, where Sanders and Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott flanked team owner Jerry Jones.

“See that guy over there?” Mariucci said, pointing at Sanders. “There are a lot of other good candidates. … there’s a lot of great candidates Jerry can choose from. But let’s just talk about, some people think this is crazy because he has no coaching experience in the NFL, at all. But I will say this — he’s coached a lot. … He’s coached college at a very high level.”

“I’ve seen him relate to the kids … and the respect that he has from these kids you can’t believe it.”

Mariucci said Sanders would bring a new “culture” to the team.

“He wouldn’t call the plays on offense, he wouldn’t call defenses, he would manage the game,” Mariucci said. “He would be responsible for the culture in that locker room … when ‘Prime’ is in charge, he wants a certain kind of way with his young men, to be respectful to women, and to the game … he teaches how to be a great human being.

“This would be awesome, if Jerry says, ‘Hey, you know what, he’s one of our own, he’s one of our stars, we are America’s Team.’ I know that if he got the opportunity and they joined forces, this would be awesome to watch. He could do it.”

That’s the kind of glowing endorsement job seekers everywhere dream of getting while they’re on the market.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported earlier this week there’s “mutual interest” between Sanders and the Cowboys, who parted ways with Mike McCarthy on Monday. It would be huge news if Sanders, who earned four All-Pro nods in five seasons as a Cowboys defensive back, heads to Dallas. Not surprisingly, the topic dominated sports media this week unlike possibly any NFL story since Aaron Rodgers went to the New York Jets.


And some sports media stars have given their stamp of approval, including Troy Aikman, Sanders’ former teammate.


Yet is it all just talk? Ian Rapoport reported on GameDay Saturday that while Sanders and Jones have had conversations, “there has been no interview.”

“I would be surprised if an interview ever happens, not saying impossible, but I will be surprised,” Rapoport said.

That report should at least slow the Sanders-to-Dallas hype train, although Mariucci seemed ready to buy a ticket Saturday.

About Arthur Weinstein

Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.