5 Mike McCarthy replacements for the Cowboys that aren’t Sean Payton

2. Thomas Brown, Assistant Head Coach, Los Angeles Rams

Stealing coaches from winning teams is always a smart idea. That was seen when the Green Bay Packers took Matt LaFleur from the Los Angeles Rams. They had instant success as they won 13 games in each of his first two seasons.

Zac Taylor was another protege under Sean McVay who took the Cincinnati Bengals to the Super Bowl in his third season, nearly knocking off McVay and the Rams. Brandon Staley is another example, as the Los Angeles Chargers head coach has done well since switching teams in the City of Angles.

That’s why Dallas would be smart to see who is the next potential star under McVay, and that could be Thomas Brown. Formerly the running back coach in L.A., Brown took over for the tight ends this season while assuming the assistant head coach role.

A former running back from Georgia, Brown was a sixth-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 2008 and then spent 2009 and 2010 with the Cleveland Browns. He then held several different positions throughout the collegiate ranks before making the jump to the Rams in 2020.

Now armed with a Super Bowl ring, the 36-year-old is a hot name to watch. Even though Jerry Jones thinks coaches need to have previous experience as a head coach, teams have had much more success looking for a young up-and-comer.