Breaking News! Jason Garrett hired by the Cowboys as POSSIBLE head coach

[Brian Damage]

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has decided to hire Jason Garrett to at least be Dallas' offensive coordinator -- and possibly to be the successor to retired head coach Bill Parcells.

A source told ESPN's Ed Werder on Wednesday night that Jones considers Garrett, a former backup to quarterback Troy Aikman, to be one of the most promising offensive coaches in the league and was so determined to bring him back to the Cowboys organization that he would have been added to Parcells' staff had Parcells decided to coach the final year of his contract.

Instead, Parcells stepped down Monday after four seasons with the Cowboys, ending a 19-year coaching tenure that included two Super Bowl champoinships with the New York Giants.

Jones must decide by Thursday whether to hire Garrett as offensive coordinator because the Miami Dolphins set a deadline for the Cowboys to hire their quarterbacks coach when granting the Cowboys permission to interview Garrett.

The Cowboys could appoint Garrett offensive coordinator to secure his services while eliminating the Dolphins from the equation. Then Jones could deliberate whether to appoint him as the head coach later after interviews with other head coach candidates, primarily San Diego Chargers defensive coordinator Wade Phillips or San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Norv Turner.

Ultimately, Jones must decide whether he's willing to sign a veteran coach to a three- or four-year contract to allow Garrett to gain experience as a play-caller before eventually promoting him to the top job. Or, Jones may decide he's willing to endure the risk of immediately putting a talented Cowboys team in Garrett's hands now.

Garrett spent the last two seasons coaching Miami's quarterbacks. He played for the Cowboys from 1993-99, appearing in 23 games (nine starts). He also played for the Giants, Tampa Bay and Miami. Garrett retired in 2004.

Garrett's father, Jim, was a longtime scout for the Cowboys.

The Cowboys haven't had an offensive coordinator since Maurice Carthon served in that role under Parcells in 2004. This season, assistant head coach Tony Sparano coached running backs and the offensive line and receivers coach Todd Haley was the passing game coordinator.

Jones earlier this week spoke to Sparano, Haley and secondary coach Todd Bowles, a candidate to replace Mike Zimmer as defensive coordinator, about the head coaching job.

Phillips, who was in Mobile scouting Senior Bowl practices, said he hadn't heard from anybody yet, including the Cowboys.

"If it's true, we'll just go on with the process and see what happens," Phillips told The Associated Press by telephone. "I've got a great job where I am and a great football team. I wasn't looking for anything, but I've always wanted to do what I can do as a head coach, and Dallas is certainly a premier job."

The Cowboys have declared that finding the coaches who can develop young Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo is a point of emphasis in replacing Parcells.

[mriggles]

[TVFactFan]

I know they are SNAPPING out on the Dallas Message Board after hearing this

[Mr. Television]

Jerry never learns. Parcells built this team up...we have players now something we never did during the Galey-Campo years. He just wants a coach he can control. This team will be back to 5-11 real soon. And how the HELL can Garrett handle T.O. if Parcells couldn't? Bring him back as a QB Coach and leave the head coaches job to a professional.

[Brian Damage]

Somehow, I doubt he will be named head coach. I just don't think Jerry Jones would gamble that much on an unproven guy.

[dlemond]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Somehow, I doubt he will be named head coach. I just don't think Jerry Jones would gamble that much on an unproven guy.

I don't see that either.

But how do you bring in a proven guy and tell him that he is going to be head coach until his offensive coordinator has enough experience.

Who is going to work like that?

[Brian Damage]

Originally Posted by dlemond

I don't see that either.

But how do you bring in a proven guy and tell him that he is going to be head coach until his offensive coordinator has enough experience.

Who is going to work like that?

Tons of money helps. LOL

[dlemond]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Tons of money helps. LOL

That would help.

I also just thought that Norv Turner would be that kind of whipping boy for Jones.

[Brian Damage]

Originally Posted by dlemond

That would help.

I also just thought that Norv Turner would be that kind of whipping boy for Jones.

If he was hired, I think there would be a riot. lol

[Mr. Television]

Originally Posted by dlemond

I don't see that either.

But how do you bring in a proven guy and tell him that he is going to be head coach until his offensive coordinator has enough experience.

Who is going to work like that?

and you don't hire the offensive coordinator before the head coach. Jerry is doing the same thing he did when Campo was there. The Coach will be a puppethead with no real power. Whenever a player has a problem they'll go over the coaches head to Jerry's. This has disaster written all over it. If Garrett is going to be the head coach in 2 years then he might as well be head coach now so if he fails we won't waste a lot of time on him and by then maybe Bill Cowher will be ready to come back.

[freshprinceofLA]

They should get wade phillips the chargers defensive cooordinator!

[dlemond]

Originally Posted by Walking Tall

and you don't hire the offensive coordinator before the head coach. Jerry is doing the same thing he did when Campo was there. The Coach will be a puppethead with no real power. Whenever a player has a problem they'll go over the coaches head to Jerry's. This has disaster written all over it. If Garrett is going to be the head coach in 2 years then he might as well be head coach now so if he fails we won't waste a lot of time on him and by then maybe Bill Cowher will be ready to come back.

I agree. Make him the head coach now and deal with whatever you get.

Seems a little silly to go this bonkers with replacing the head coach in 4 days.

I can't even believe that Jones would spell out to the public that Garrett would take over.

That's just stupid in face of finding a head coach to take this playoff ready team with your newly established QB of the future.

Try and take a deep breath Jerry.

[Brian Damage]

The Dallas Cowboys' search for a successor to Bill Parcells has led them back to one of their former assistant coaches.

The Cowboys have called for and received permission to interview 49ers offensive coordinator Norv Turner for their head coaching post, FOXSports.com has learned. Niners coach Mike Nolan told FOXSports.com Wednesday night that he was very hopeful of keeping Turner, but expected Dallas to come calling. That call came Thursday morning.
Turner has been a head coach in Washington and Oakland after a successful stint as Jimmy Johnson's offensive coordinator in Dallas at the start of the last decade.

Dallas has already hired an offensive coordinator in Miami Dolphins quarterbacks coach and former Cowboys quarterback Jason Garrett. There is some thinking that Dallas would hire Turner to groom not only quarterback Tony Romo, but to help prepare Garrett to eventually become the head coach in Dallas.

The Cowboys have also received permission to interview Chargers defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, although Phillips said Wednesday night he was unsure what day he was interviewing for the opening. Likewise, the Niners have not yet been told when Turner will interview for the job.

Other names linked to the job include Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, Seattle assistant head coach Jim Mora and either or both of the Bears' coordinators.

[bandito]

Originally Posted by Walking Tall

and you don't hire the offensive coordinator before the head coach. Jerry is doing the same thing he did when Campo was there. The Coach will be a puppethead with no real power. Whenever a player has a problem they'll go over the coaches head to Jerry's. This has disaster written all over it. If Garrett is going to be the head coach in 2 years then he might as well be head coach now so if he fails we won't waste a lot of time on him and by then maybe Bill Cowher will be ready to come back.

Unless Jerry Jones offers him the world, I don't think Cowher would coach for him. Bill Cowher likes to run the show without the owner butting in.... Jerry seems like that kind of owner.

[Mr. Television]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

The Dallas Cowboys' search for a successor to Bill Parcells has led them back to one of their former assistant coaches.

The Cowboys have called for and received permission to interview 49ers offensive coordinator Norv Turner for their head coaching post, FOXSports.com has learned. Niners coach Mike Nolan told FOXSports.com Wednesday night that he was very hopeful of keeping Turner, but expected Dallas to come calling. That call came Thursday morning.
Turner has been a head coach in Washington and Oakland after a successful stint as Jimmy Johnson's offensive coordinator in Dallas at the start of the last decade.

Dallas has already hired an offensive coordinator in Miami Dolphins quarterbacks coach and former Cowboys quarterback Jason Garrett. There is some thinking that Dallas would hire Turner to groom not only quarterback Tony Romo, but to help prepare Garrett to eventually become the head coach in Dallas.

The Cowboys have also received permission to interview Chargers defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, although Phillips said Wednesday night he was unsure what day he was interviewing for the opening. Likewise, the Niners have not yet been told when Turner will interview for the job.

Other names linked to the job include Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, Seattle assistant head coach Jim Mora and either or both of the Bears' coordinators.

Norv's a great Offensive coordinator and Wade is a great Defensive Coordinator but they aren't very good head coaches. I wouldn't mind having them on the staff just not as head coach.