DEVELOPING: Garrett Takes Interim Title Away In Dallas

The Dallas Cowboys have called a 2:30 eastern press conference to announce their new head coach- Jason Garrett.

Garrett went 5-3 as interim coach. The team was 1-7 under then head coach-new Houston Texans DC Wade Phillips before Garrett was promoted from offensive coordinator and assistant head coach.

The other candidates Jerry Jones is known to have interviewed are receivers coach Ray Sherman ((to quickly satisfy the Rooney Rule requirement)) and Miami assistant head coach Todd Bowles.

Here's Garrett getting his first one-on-one grilling as head coach...
((HT: WFAA-TV Dallas))

Sunday Carousel: Weis And Garrett Make An Odd Couple

Only because they're in the same story...

Charlie Weis looks like he's going to take the OC job in Boomtown after all.
Nothing like being an overbearing, Type-A personality that will be paired with another Type-A personality for a coaching staff.

Will Muschamp will be the enthusiastic one in Gainesville, and the question now becomes: Who gets to recruit...??? And how do they recruit as a unit...???

Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun has the details about Weis and Aubrey Hill joining the staff.

Now, to the NFL... and it looks like Jason Garrett, winner of 4 of the 7 games he's coached as the interim leader in Dallas, may get that "interim" label pulled after all.

But David Moore of the Dallas Morning News has things still in flux and indecision.

But if you check in to Michael David Smith at PFT, it's a done deal since the Cowboys brought in Ray Sherman to satisfy the Rooney Rule.

OTHER STUFF: Looks like Tom Cable is in question for a return to Oakland, Gary Kubiak is returning to Houston and the Texans, and Marvin Lewis can stay in Cincinnati if his staff changes- which Lewis may balk at...

More when we know more...

Tributes To Dandy Don

The term "one of a kind" certainly fits Don Meredith. Jeff and Hazel's baby boy as Meredith used to say was Texas to the core and lived life carefree.

Now that "Dandy Don" has left us the tributes are pouring in and many are as entertaining as Meredith himself.

Dale Hanson reflects on Meredith's life including a great story from Cowboy great Cliff Harris (Thanks WFAA-TV)



Current Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett remembers Don Meredith. (Thanks Dallas Morning News)



Dandy Don's signiture was signing "Turn Out The Lights" on Monday Night Football. Two years ago when Meredith's jersey was retired by his alma mater SMU a 70 year old Don Meredith sang one more rendition.



Rest in peace Dandy Don, the party has just begun in heaven.

UPDATING: Wade Phillips Is Still Fired

((HT: WFAA-TV))

Wade Phillips spoke, in paper form, after his dismissal Monday afternoon...

“I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the fans of the Cowboys and to the entire Jones family for all of the support that we received here in Dallas. I would also like to thank our coaches and players for their loyalty and dedication.

“I told the team today that I have been proud to be a part of their family, and that will never change. I have enjoyed the privilege and responsibility of representing this franchise as its head coach.

“I am disappointed in the results of this season to this point, but I am also very proud of what our team and our players accomplished in the previous three years. In good times and difficult times, our players stuck together and never lost hold of their belief in each other and the strong team bond that they have shared. Family and coaching football have always defined my life and I will always be grateful for my experiences here with the Dallas Cowboys.”

Jerry Jones held a 5:00 eastern time press conference on Monday afternoon at Valley Ranch...

"Obviously, this is a very difficult decision for me, our team and our organization," Jerry Jones said. "We're grateful to Wade and his contributions to the Cowboys leading us to two division titles in his first three seasons with the club. We're not where we want to be at this time, and that's an understatement."

"An in-season coaching change is something that I've not done before; it's something that I was reluctant to even consider as late as this past week," Jones added. "But at this time, I believe in what's the best interest of the organization and the fans is a coaching change."

Dale Hansen and Joe Trahan discuss...

BREAKING: Wade Phillips--Fired! Or It's not true unless ESPN says it is....

Wade Phillips/Courtesy: KTVT.com

Well, true to his word, Darth Jones has fired now former head coach Wade Phillips. Dallas TV station KTVT is reporting that happened this afternoon and that the Cowboys will hold a press conference at 5:00pm eastern to announce Jason Garrett as the interim coach.

Interestingly, 3 of the 4 major TV Stations and several radio stations in Dallas are reporting this. However ESPN's Adam Schefter and FOX Sports Jay Glazer are saying that "The local stations are jumping the gun".

Now reports are starting to circulate that it may not have happened....yet. Schefter re-tweeting from Todd Archer--Spoke to Wade Phillips agent and asked if true. Reply: I don't think its true.

3pm Eastern--Reports are now circulating that none of the coaches or players have been notified. Also, Wade has apparently walked out of the executive offices and not talking.

3:03pm--It's official now because ESPN says it is. Their people are now confirming it. So it must be true.  They seem to be refusing to admit the locals kicked their asses.

This is getting stranger by the minute...keep tuning in.

We will update this story as the day progresses