The Dallas Cowboys’ coaching search took another turn Thursday with news that former Seattle coach Pete Carroll has spoken with team owner Jerry Jones, two people with knowledge of the search confirmed to The Dallas Morning News.

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.

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.

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.

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.