Wade Phillips
The rumors and speculation have been confirmed: Wade Phillips is no longer the coach of the Dallas Cowboys.
According to ESPN, owner/general manager Jerry Jones decided to fire Phillips this afternoon, just hours before his press conference was set to take place. The Cowboys (1-7) are coming off of a 45-7 drubbing at the hands of the Packers last night, which more or less promoted Jones to go against the grain and replace his head coach mid-season.
Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett has been chosen as the interim coach, while Paul Pasqualoni becomes the defensive playcaller.
Phillips’ stay in Dallas lasted three seasons; in that time he accumulated a 33-15 regular season record and two playoff berths. Though he certainly won his share of games, the Cowboys never got over the hump and their once-promising Superbowl season this year came crumbling down, particularly in Week 7 when quarterback Tony Romo fractured his collarbone. The writing was on the wall then and the two blowout losses that followed sealed his feat. Phillips had lost the team and it showed on the field.
Garrett, who was seen as head-coaching material around the league, finally gets his crack at it. Though their playoff chances are certainly out the window, Garrett could try and salvage as much as he can this year while building toward what should be a better 2011 campaign.
The talent is definitely there in Big D, the only question mark is who will be the head boss on the sidelines. If Garrett can prove his worth, and get something out of an otherwise demoralized squad, Jones likely will turn the reigns over to him completely.
