The Dallas Cowboys were recently taken to task over owner Jerry Jones' handling of the head coaching situation.

Editor's note: This story was published early Monday. Later, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Mike McCarthy is not expected to return to Dallas and is now set to become a free agent, per source. The two sides engaged in no discussions about a new deal, and McCarthy is expected to be a candidate in Chicago and New Orleans.

For most of the season, it was assumed that the Cowboys would be looking for a new coach. Late in the year, owner and G.M. Jerry Jones seemed to be warming up to the idea of keeping Mike McCarthy around.

After five seasons with Mike McCarthy at the helm, the Dallas Cowboys are on the hunt for a new head coach.  The next head coach will be tasked with succeeding where so many of his predecessors have failed.

After declining the Chicago Bears's request to interview Mike McCarthy for their head coach vacancy, the common consensus was that the Dallas Cowboys planned on retaining his services.

Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys are making waves in their search for a new head coach, aiming to find the perfect leader to maximize Dak Prescott's potential.

Adding a little levity to the situation, a “things could actually be worse” look at the Cowboys’ coaching search. | From @BenGrimaldi

The Dallas Cowboys are Jerry Jones' team. There's no escaping that fact, no matter how frustrated a very large fanbase seems to be with that fact. The long-time owner of the organization feels that he knows what is best for the club,

The search for a new head coach for the Dallas Cowboys is intensifying. Jerry Jones has been meeting face-to-face with candidates, including the team's offensive coordinator, Brian Schottenheimer, who has been with the Cowboys for the past two years.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is at it again. Per reports, Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer is being heavily-considered for the head coach opening.