Jason Garrett

Jason Garrett is a former American football quarterback and coach, best known for his lengthy tenure as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. After a journeyman playing career that included stints with the New York Giants and a Grey Cup championship with the Toronto Argonauts, he transitioned to coaching, earning the NFL Coach of the Year Award in 2016. His coaching philosophy, often summarized by the phrase "fight," emphasized process and preparation, leading the Cowboys to multiple NFC East titles during his decade-long leadership at AT&T Stadium.

Early life and playing career

Born in Abington, Pennsylvania, Garrett attended the University School of Nashville before playing quarterback for the Princeton Tigers at Princeton University, where he was a teammate of future Congressman Tom Malinowski. He was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the 1989 NFL Draft but saw limited action in the National Football League. His professional career was defined by resilience, as he played for several teams including the San Antonio Riders of the World League of American Football, the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League, and the Birmingham Fire. His most notable playing achievement came in 1995, winning the Grey Cup as a backup for the Toronto Argonauts under coach Don Matthews.

Coaching career

Garrett began his coaching career as a quarterbacks coach for the New Orleans Saints under Jim Haslett and later with the Miami Dolphins under Nick Saban. He returned to the Dallas Cowboys in 2007 as offensive coordinator under head coach Wade Phillips. Following Phillips' dismissal during the 2010 NFL season, Garrett was promoted to interim head coach and was given the full-time role by owner Jerry Jones. His tenure, which lasted through the 2019 NFL season, was marked by consistent regular-season success, including division titles in 2014 and 2016 with teams led by quarterback Tony Romo and later Dak Prescott, but was often criticized for playoff shortcomings. After his departure from AT&T Stadium, he served as offensive coordinator for the New York Giants under head coach Joe Judge for two seasons.

Head coaching record

Over his nine full seasons as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, Garrett compiled a regular-season record of 85–67, with three playoff appearances. His teams won the NFC East in 2014 and 2016, but failed to advance beyond the Divisional playoff round, losing to the Green Bay Packers and later the Los Angeles Rams. His overall postseason record was 2–3, with victories coming against the Detroit Lions in the 2014–15 NFL playoffs and the Seattle Seahawks in the 2018–19 NFL playoffs.

Personal life

Garrett is the son of former NFL scout and Chicago Bears assistant coach Jim Garrett. He is married to Brill and has three children. His brother, John Garrett, is a longtime NFL assistant coach, and another brother, Jud Garrett, played in the NFL. Garrett is known for his academic background from the Ivy League and his involvement with charitable organizations, including the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas.

Legacy and impact

Garrett's legacy is one of stabilized leadership for the Dallas Cowboys following a period of inconsistency, instilling a culture of discipline that produced multiple Pro Bowl players like Ezekiel Elliott and DeMarcus Lawrence. While his record against rivals like the Philadelphia Eagles and his playoff record were points of contention, his 2016 NFL Coach of the Year Award season demonstrated his peak effectiveness. His coaching tree includes assistants like Matt Eberflus, and his emphasis on offensive systems influenced subsequent coordinators within the National Football Conference.

Category:1967 births Category:American football quarterbacks Category:Dallas Cowboys coaches Category:Princeton Tigers football players