As the Dallas Cowboys have once again failed to get past the first round of the NFL playoffs, losing to the Green Bay Packers 48-32, the calls for head coach Mike McCarthy to be fired are at a fever pitch.

But if McCarthy goes, who should the Cowboys turn to? Do they turn to a veteran head coach with championship experience? Or should they start fresh with someone up and coming?

Pete Carroll

Pete Carroll still wants to remain a coach even though he is no longer with the Seattle Seahawks. Indeed, he expressed his desire to continue. His Seattle teams were regular postseason participants, and he led two Seahawks teams to the Super Bowl, where they won one. In addition, the Cowboys need his great defense following that devastating defeat. Age is the only problem. Carroll, who is 72 years old, has already undergone multiple rebuilds. Does he possess another?

Bill Belichick

We know his resume. Six Super Bowl championships. Numerous AFC titles. More playoff appearances than you can count. Bill Belichick is chasing history to become the NFL’s winningest head coach and he probably needs two or three more seasons to do it. Why not do it with America’s Team? Belichick is still a great defensive mind, but can he bring someone with him to handle the offense? What happened in New England the last few seasons on offense left a lot to be desired.

Lane Kiffin

Lane Kiffin might be a perfect fit for the Cowboys. He’s an offensive genius and, like owner Jerry Jones, loves the spotlight. He’d be a refreshing addition to the franchise. Kiffin’s first stint as an NFL head coach with the Oakland Raiders did not go well. But he appears to have matured since then and it may be his time to return to the NFL. Kiffin has built Ole Miss into a national championship contender but an NFL opportunity might be too hard to pass up.

Jim Harbaugh

Jim Harbaugh is the most attractive name in coaching. After leading the Michigan Wolverines to a national title, it appears he is thinking about returning to the NFL. During his brief but productive tenure with the San Francisco 49ers, Harbaugh led the team to a Super Bowl victory. Ideally, he could jump right in and make a lot of difference in this circumstance. Harbaugh will be able to choose from any number of positions; all he has to do is choose.

Dan Quinn

After the defense’s performance against the Packers on Sunday, the shine might be off Quinn, but he’s still a major coaching candidate to consider. A big part of why the Cowboys won the NFC East was Quinn’s defense. He is a proven winner and leader and he took the Atlanta Falcons to the Super Bowl as their head coach. Although the team collapsed in that game, that doesn’t mean that Quinn can’t coach. Maybe this time around, he’ll finish the job.

Kellen Moore

As some may recall, former offensive coordinator Kellen Moore was seriously considered for the job when Mike McCarthy was hired. Moore was respected because of the job he did with the Dallas offense, but that was also the reason why he was let go. As good as the Cowboys’ offense was under Moore at times, it also stalled. Plus, quite frankly, the offense got better when McCarthy took it over this year. It also doesn’t help Moore that the Los Angeles Chargers offense struggled this year. Still, he remains a possibility.

Nick Saban

Hey, why not? Although Nick Saban is retired, the one thing that eluded him in his glorious coaching career with success in the NFL. The Cowboys have the talent but not the discipline. Saban could bring that to this team. The question is, would Saban want to put himself and his family through another football season? Saban has already committed himself to not only spending more time with his wife but has vowed to stay on campus and help new Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer. Still, you gotta imagine Jerry at least calls.

Dan Campbell

Jerry Jones would be crazy not to shoot his shot with Dan Campbell. Campbell was an assistant coach with the Cowboys and Jones has been very impressed with what he has done with the Detroit Lions.