By Brian Smith, FOXSportsSouthwest.com
Back in 2008, Jason Garrett turned down offers to coach the Baltimore Ravens and Atlanta Falcons. Garrett made the decision in part because Jerry Jones anointed Garrett as the Dallas Cowboys' head-coach-in-waiting by bumping his salary to $3 million annually, higher than any other assistant in the NFL. The Falcons hired Jacksonville defensive coordinator Mike Smith, while the Ravens gave their head coaching job to Eagles defensive backs coach John Harbaugh. Garrett remained in Dallas, with a Pro Bowl quarterback and a promising young backfield to work with.
Fast forward to the middle of the 2010 season. Smith's Falcons are on top of the NFC South at 6-2. Harbaugh's Ravens, also sporting a 6-2 record, lead the AFC North. While Garrett's team is decidedly less successful - an NFC-worst 1-7 record says everything about just how much success the Cowboys have had - he now finally has the job he wanted. Today, Jones fired Wade Phillips and promoted Garrett to interim head coach. The 44-year-old will retain playcalling duties, similar to what Phillips did as head coach/defensive coordinator for the past year.
Despite the odds for success stacked heavily against him, Garrett remained focused on one thing.
