From The Archives, Part 2

In my infamous knee-jerk reaction to the Cowboys' meltdown against the Redskins in D.C. on November 5, I offered this potential head coach:

Heck, while talking about the Saints, let’s bring back Gary Gibbs. He can be the second ex-OU coach to be the head man in Dallas.

Well, it looks like Jerry Jones is going to interview Gary Gibbs, the current Saints defensive coordinator, and former OU head coach and Cowboys assistant.

Gary Gibbs is a darn good defensive coordinator. He has had good defenses everywhere he has been: OU, Georgia, LSU, the Saints (with considerably less talent than the Saints' offense). He also did a better than average job in a trying situation at OU, bringing the Sooners through probation. Though he didn't ring up Switzer-like numbers, he brought integrity to the program, and looked really good compared to his two successors: Howard Schnellenberger and John Blake. Gibbs' wheels fell off in the 1994 season, when his team quit on him in a 6-6 season.

For what Jerry is looking for, Gibbs would be as good as anyone. He is looking, for all intents and purposes, for a lead coordinator. Jason Garrett has been hired to run the offense, and Jerry is now looking for a defensive guy.

For better or for worse, Jerry is now the football czar once again. In my opinion, that is worse, as Jerry is making all personnel decisions, including players and assistant coaches. We saw where that led us before: 5-11 three years in a row. But, if Jerry is going to go back down that road, he could do a lot worse than Gary Gibbs and Jason Garrett.

New Coaches?

The Dallas Cowboys yesterday interviewed former quarterback Jason Garrett for coaching positions. Not only did they discuss the position of offensive coordinator, but they also discussed the position of head coach. I wasn't surprised at all by the former, but I was shocked by the latter. I wouldn't be surprised if the Joneses actually offered him the gig. His current employer, the Miami Dolphins, have given him until today to accept a job, if offered.

Wade Phillips is the next candidate to be interviewed. In my opinion, the job is his to lose. He brings a combination of head coaching experience and expertise with the 3-4 defense. He would also allow Jerry Jones input into the selection of assistant coaches and player personnel.

I look for Wade Phillips to become the head coach, with Jason Garrett to become the offensive coordinator. Jerry is comfortable with both of them, and would once again function as football czar, as he did before the Parcells years.