Lions to interview Jason Garrett for head coaching position

Posted Monday, Dec. 29, 2008 Comments   (0) Print Share Share Reprints
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By RICK HERRIN

rickherrin@star-telegram.com

IRVING - The Detroit Lions received permission from the Dallas Cowboys on Monday to interview assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Jason Garrett for their head coaching vacancy, according to an NFL source.

Detroit became the first team in NFL history to go 0-16 this season after Sunday's loss to Green Bay and fired head coach Rod Marinelli on Monday.

Garrett, who Wade Phillips said he would retain as offensive coordinator on Monday, remains a coordinator with head coaching appeal despite the Cowboys' failed expectations this season that included offensive struggles and missing the playoffs.

Last off-season, Garrett was the hottest assistant coach in the league and interviewed for head coaching positions in Atlanta and Baltimore. But Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was committed to keeping him in Dallas and made him the highest-paid assistant in the league with a $3 million contract.

Garrett's record-setting offense that was ranked third in the NFL last season fell to 13th in 2008 and didn't manage a touchdown in the Cowboys' 44-6 collapse at Philadelphia.

The Lions will be searching for their sixth coach since 2000 and Marinelli was 10-38 in three years.

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