IRVING – Jason Garrett's role hasn't officially been announced, but sources said the former Cowboys quarterback will be the offensive coordinator and mentor to Tony Romo if he doesn't get the head coaching position.
Sunday afternoon, Garrett made his first public comments since he was hired Thursday.
"I'm just excited to be here," Garrett said to several reporters stationed outside the Cowboys' Valley Ranch headquarters. "It was an interesting week for me, kind of a whirlwind coming from Mobile, Ala."
Garrett was scouting college players at the Senior Bowl as the Miami Dolphins' quarterbacks coach last week. The Cowboys received permission to speak with him about the offensive coordinator and head coaching jobs. Garrett impressed the Cowboys immensely, and he was hired immediately. Dallas had to move quickly because Miami had placed a deadline on a decision.
The Cowboys need Garrett more than ever with the pending departure of quarterbacks coach Chris Palmer. Palmer is expected to take the same position with the New York Giants.
Garrett is a surprise candidate for the head coaching job because of his limited experience as a coach. After playing 12 seasons in the NFL, mainly as a backup, he was hired by the Dolphins as quarterbacks coach in 2005.
Several coaches, including Norv Turner, San Francisco's offensive coordinator, who is interviewing for the Cowboys head coaching job, are impressed with Garrett.
Garrett said he felt good about his interview with the Cowboys.
Dallas has interviewed seven candidates in the last week to replace Bill Parcells. No timetable has been determined, though owner/general manager Jerry Jones is scheduled to leave for Miami, the site of Super Bowl XLI, on Thursday.
"We talked about offense, [and] about bigger picture things," said Garrett, who spent seven seasons with Dallas. "It was good and it was exciting. They are going to make the decision they need to make. But the most important thing is I'm really excited to be with the Cowboys."
