Jason Garrett’s Advice to Cowboys’ Next Head Coach

Before Mike McCarthy became the Dallas Cowboys’ head coach in 2020, Jason Garrett led America’s Team from 2011 to 2019. A quarterback in Dallas from 1992 to 1999, Garrett compiled an 85-67 record in his 10 seasons with the franchise.

With McCarthy’s tenure coming to a close on January 13, the rumors surrounding the Cowboys’ next head coach are running rampant, with Colorado Buffaloes HC Deion Sanders at the forefront of potential candidates.

Whoever ends up with the job, Garrett provided some insights and advice to working alongside owner and general manager Jerry Jones while appearing on This Is Football with Kevin Clark.

“There’s no doubt that ownership is involved. Jerry Jones is the general manager of the team. … It’s not only communicating and leading to your staff and your team, it’s also leading upward in the organization. You have to have a really clear vision for what you want the team to be.

I asked Jason Garrett what type of coach could thrive in Dallas. His answer was terrific insight into how a coach can fit (and communicate) with the ownership structure.
“I don’t think you spend a lot of time trying to change Jerry Jones. I don’t think that’s going to happen.” pic.twitter.com/cpU2gLFN25
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) January 14, 2025

“I don’t think you spend a lot of time trying to change Jerry Jones. I don’t think that’s going to happen. I think you have to understand what his strengths are.”

In 2020, Garrett was hired as the New York Giants offensive coordinator and fired by the team in November 2021. Since then, Garrett has worked with NBC Sports as an analyst for the USFL, Notre Dame football broadcasts and NBC Sunday Night Football.

With Sanders under consideration as the Cowboys’ head coach, there are reports that the 57-year-old is simply doing his due diligence in negotiating a new contract with Colorado.

There are also reports that the Cowboys are interested in Kellen Moore for the head coaching position. The 36-year-old began coaching with the Cowboys in 2018 as the team’s quarterbacks coach.

From 2019 to 2022, he served as Dallas’ offensive coordinator. In 2023, he was hired by the Los Angeles Chargers as their offensive coordinator. In February 2024, the Philadelphia Eagles hired Moore as their offensive coordinator.

In 2024, Philadelphia ranks 29th in passing yards (187.9 yards per game), second in rushing (179.3 ypg) and averaged 27.2 points per game (seventh).

The Cowboys have not yet officially scheduled any head coach interviews.