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Jason Garrett is ready to put his career as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys behind him, even though he decided to face his former team twice a year – albeit in a different role. Garrett is embarking on a new venture as the New York Giants’ offensive coordinator this season, accused of renovating an offense that finished 23rd in the NFL total yard last season and further developing franchise quarterback Daniel Jones.
Garrett spent nearly a decade coaching the Cowboys before being relieved of his duties last season, failing to deliver the coveted Super Bowl title to “America’s Team.” Dallas did not come under a conference title watch, but he explained why he is still proud of the team he has built in nine-plus seasons as the head coach.
“We had a lot of great days there,” Garrett said in a conference call with reporters Tuesday. “I just want to acknowledge my time in Dallas and how grateful I am for that whole experience and for everyone in the Cowboys organization, for the opportunity and the support and the lifelong friendships I have made. The players, the coaches and the staff members who were with me and made my life better, I am eternally grateful to them and appreciate that I had that in my life and for that experience.
“I’m terribly proud of the program we built and the teams we had.”
The Cowboys went 85-67 in the function of Garrett, a .559 winning percentage that produced three NFC East titles and four 8-8 campaigns. Dallas just won two playoff games under Garrett, both in the wild card round. Garrett spent 14 seasons with the Cowboys as a coach and seven as a player, so his fire was the culmination of a long history with the franchise.
Garrett also has a history with the Giants, having spent some of the last years of his playing career with them from 2000 to 2003. He returned to New York as the team’s offensive coordinator this season after being fired by Dallas.
Garrett was able to take a year off and recharge his batteries, but this was an opportunity he could not pass up.
“I’m really excited to be here,” Garrett said. “I’m learning, trying to grow as a coach, trying to help contribute to this football team in every way I can. I’ve had a long, long time of great admiration for this organization. Sure, I have had great admiration for Coach (Joe) judge from afar.
“Again, I’m really excited to be here and I’m trying to get better every day and trying to help these guys grow as players. It’s been a very interesting start to make training camp for us. Great job making us these guys be able to coach as well as possible. I’m excited to get better every day. “
Will there be an adjustment for Garrett after he is head coach and went back to a coordinator role, especially since the schedule is based off of him? Garrett is still trying to set his vision because nothing has been set in stone.
“We certainly have a system of football that has been in place for a long time,” Garrett said. “But it’s also a system that’s evolved over the years, and that’s evolved based on the people we have on our team. There were times in the past where we had the ball a lot. There have been times in the past where we have run the ball a lot. The one thing that has been consistent is that we want to defend in different ways. We have played our best offense when we were at a high level. have carried out, and we have attacked several ways, and we will continue to strive to do so.
“Again, I open my notebook every day and I take notes in all those staff meetings, and keep learning from Joe on a daily basis. I’m excited to be here, I’m excited to work for him.”
