In Defense of the Dallas Cowboys Coaching Changes

Plenty of Dallas Cowboys fans will remain rightfully upset that Head Coach Jason Garrett, Offensive Coordinator Scott Linehan, and Defensive Coordinator Rod Marinelli will stay for 2018 after finishing a season with Super Bowl aspirations at 9-7, outside the playoff field.

The moves that have been made below these three primary coaches — to be criticized or praised — are ongoing, and look to continue a growing pattern of bringing in former players as position coaches. Scott Linehan has been given the reigns to retool his offensive staff, one still in need of a new leader at TE, WR, and most recently OL.

Marc Colombo is a name that’s been thrown around to replace Frank Pollack as the offensive line coach, as has Miles Austin’s at wide receiver.

Kellen Moore is already in line to be Wade Wilson’s replacement as QB coach.

Dallas Cowboys HC Jason Garrett (Richard Mackson / USA TODAY Sports)

Describe Jason Garrett in One Word or Phrase

Entering his eighth full season as this team’s head coach, their “leader of men,” his team is built in his image now more than ever.

Whether you chose average, overrated, star-dependent, stale, process-oriented, charismatic, or any other term to describe Garrett, he is undoubtedly a player’s coach. There’s a reason why he mentioned meeting with players before coaches at his final press conference of this disappointing season. Garrett said he would meet first with the players to delve into what needs fixing before getting to the coaches — many of which are already gone.

The entirety of America’s Team will serve as an amplifier for player’s ideas with Garrett at the top in 2018, and when all his top players are on the field, the winning results have typically followed under this staff.

Overall team health for the Cowboys is probably not an excuse that will save Garrett, Linehan, or Marinelli through another poor season. And it shouldn’t.

If there is one group that the generic “next man up” mentality resonates the most with, it is players being coached by former players who were sold the same thing. Not the fans, coaches, or the media.

It will be these members of Cowboys Nation, along with some in the media calling for further, more meaningful coaching changes, if Dallas looks helpless overcoming most shortcomings again next season.

With months to recover, as well as adding talent to an already deep roster, the 2018 Dallas Cowboys will forever prove if Jason Garrett’s process is actually be worth the wait.