Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett ranked unlucky 13
NFL.com recently ranked Dallas Cowboys’ Jason Garrett as the 13th best head coach in the league. Is it a fair assignment of the reigning NFL Coach of the Year?
One of the most polarizing figures among Dallas Cowboys‘ fans is head coach Jason Garrett. His career has been a seven-year rollercoaster in Dallas with just one playoff victory to show for it.
But most seem to believe the best is yet to come for Garrett and his young Cowboys, led by quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott. And his lack of playoff success seems to be currently overridden by last season’s 13-3 regular season record and the 2016 NFL Coach of the Year trophy that’s sitting on his mantle.
But just how good of a coach is Garrett when compared to the rest of the league? According to NFL.com, the 51-year old is the 13th best head coach in the NFL. But is it a fair ranking?
"“In August, the season appeared lost following injuries to Tony Romo and backup Kellen Moore,” wrote NFL.com analyst Elliot Harrison on the league’s official website this week. “By January, Garrett had his guys in the playoffs. Offensive Rookie of the Year Dak Prescott and NFL rushing leader Ezekiel Elliott had much to do with the overall success, but you can’t take credit away from Garrett, who lets his assistants coach.”"
Since taking over the Cowboys’ head coaching job from Wade Phillips back in November of 2010, Garrett has posted a career win/loss record of 59–48 (.551). That includes one postseason win and two playoff losses.
As a comparison, former head coach Jimmy Johnson had a win/loss record of 52-37 (.584). But Johnson also coached the Cowboys to two Super Bowl wins in five years.
The three head coaches immediately ranked higher than Garrett on the NFL.com list included the Chicago Bears’ John Fox (12th), Atlanta Falcons’ Dan Quinn (11th) and the Minnesota Vikings’ Mike Zimmer (10th).
As the reigning NFL Coach of the Year, Jason Garrett’s reputation is at an all-time high right now. But his lack of postseason success hurts his ranking here, as both Fox and Quinn have at least been to the Super Bowl.
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The offensive talent currently on the Cowboys’ roster once again foster Super Bowl aspirations for America’s Team this upcoming season. But eventually Jason Garrett will need to bring a Lombardi Trophy back to Dallas to secure his legacy. So, for a head coach with one playoff victory under his belt in seven years…unlucky #13 somehow seems appropriate.